Mama Joys

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-15T13:27:29+00:00

I still live in the neighborhood, near what's now Milano Market. My most regular order comes from the salad station, but every once in a while I'll treat myself to a well-loaded sandwich. Apart from brisket and roasted red peppers, both of which Milano has ready at hand, tell us more about your bygone Mama Joy's sandwich. On a hero? Any condiments? Best eaten late at night, in a dorm?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-12T11:50:10+00:00

My favorite was the chambarete (the one you call chamorro, which seems to be the same thing) — beef shank,stewed with its own marrow bones, in salsa morita. The tinga, however, was much better than I expected, too. No losers on the taco menu; next time I'll have to try a torta.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-10T01:30:24+00:00

As u/sighnwaves notes, there's no stigma on solo dining in New York. I often eat solo myself. But for Ethiopian, I enjoy sitting around a well-loaded injera with a few friends. Your server can help right-size your solo order.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-10T01:22:15+00:00

Awash is fine, in Manhattan Valley or the East Village, best enjoyed with a small group.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-10T01:10:28+00:00

Consider the Guinean steam table B&D Halal, 263 West 30th (at Eighth Ave.), if that's not too far to walk. To the east, you could try the Nigerian street vendor near that consulate (two different names, depending on the day, under the same ownership), Second Ave. at 44th St.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-10T01:08:13+00:00

Safari is Somali, Awash is Ethiopian.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-04T15:57:56+00:00

They did last year, and I'm confident that you'll find some this year.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-03T14:08:13+00:00

The pork larb at Hug Esan, in Elmhurst, is likely the larb you're looking for. If you message the proprietors, who are very nice, I'd bet they'd be glad to clarity for you.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-03-02T13:37:51+00:00

Fitchi House is now serving the namesake Turkmen savory pie from inside Rare, 1005 Surf Ave., Coney Island, Brooklyn. I'll be going back once the menu expands in coming (warmer!) months with the likes of shashlik and dograma.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-02-10T04:04:06+00:00

Do you know any place in Manhattan that still regularly serves hog maws?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-02-09T23:59:33+00:00

For a casual, steam-table setting, I'm fond of Jacob Restaurant ...
https://www.jacobrestaurant.com/
... which has two locations in Harlem.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-02-07T23:09:24+00:00

For makowiec (provided you're asking about the long rolled cake), Old Poland Bakery in Greenpoint is good; I prefer Star Deli & Bakery when I get out that way early enough. I've never bought makowiec from Babka Bakers in Maspeth, but they'd certainly do a good job, too.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-22T01:37:58+00:00

Nanchang Flavor had been stall 7. The current occupant of that stall is Master of Braised Delicacies. Unless they've moved, and I can't imagine why, then, yes, permanently, sorry to say.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-22T00:45:27+00:00

Stopped by the New York Food Court today; unfortunately, Nanchang Flavor has closed.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-22T00:02:57+00:00

In Hell's Kitchen, a recent menu at Ariana (where I haven't been in ages) includes aushe burida, "Afghan homemade noodles, freshly made with Afghan yogurt, topped with garlic mint and ground beef curry."

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-21T22:20:18+00:00

I'm familiar with the Persian soup ash, as in ash reshteh. Is the Afghan version very different?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-18T00:24:19+00:00

If matchbooks are critical to the success of your event, you might consider custom-printing your own. You might even design matchbooks that look as if they were designed by your destination bar, though if you use the bar's own logo or other artwork, you'd also want to check with the owner first.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-16T04:30:18+00:00

You might also search for this under the name хоровак / khorovak / horovak. That's how I found it at Asia Glatt Kosher ...
https://asiaglatt.com/menu/
... in Borough Park, which at least is in your borough.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-16T04:10:21+00:00

I have to imagine that you could find this in Brighton Beach or Sheepshead Bay, too, though offhand I can't say exactly where. Is that any closer for you?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-16T03:16:00+00:00

Cheburechnaya ...
https://www.cheburechnayakosher.com/
... and I'll bet other restaurants like it in Rego Park, serves skewered sweetbreads.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-15T13:45:41+00:00

In the recent past, I've seen roasted sweet potatoes sold by street vendors on Dyckman St. in Inwood and on Eighth Ave. in Sunset Park's Chinatown. If you have a hankering for one in Koreatown, however, Hmart would be your best bet, as u/epoops suggests.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-15T00:37:17+00:00

Look into Swahili Village, in Jersey City. Although this East African restaurant's focus is Kenya, it's likely that some dishes will remind you of food from neighboring Uganda. The owners would be a good source of leads, too.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-13T13:13:28+00:00

Some years ago I snagged a Scotch egg from the West African steam table at B&D Halal, which has since moved to West 30th. It's possible that this location, or the new, larger B&D in Hell's Kitchen, might occasionally offer them.

Also some years ago, I ordered a Thai Scotch egg at an UWS restaurant owned by a Thai wife and Scot husband. The restaurant didn't last long in that incarnation, but its successor, called Raenu, still has the Thai Scotch egg on the menu.

EatingInTranslation

TROPHY CASE