You’ve probably seen them around the city… Rafiqi’s carts (link is to StreetGrub.com, a great site to know about), they’re seemingly everywhere, I know of at least six locations (and I think I spotted one in an outer borough the other day). Big carts, usually with a raised stand for their crew (of 2 or even three people) to stand on, red & yellow signage. They sell the basic NYC street food: middle-eastern style lamb gyro & chicken, hot dogs, and Italian sausage. I’ve now eaten at three of the stands: Park Ave & 24th Street (in front of CSFB); Park Ave & 32nd Street (in front of Citibank); and 5th Ave & 14th Street (in front of the New School).
Now that I’m a Rafiqi’s expert (I even know that rafiqi means “friend” in Arabic) I’m ready to talk about them: they suck. There are so many awesome street vendors around NYC, do not go to Rafiqi’s! Except for today, when I went to the one at Park & 32nd, the others have given smaller portions than any other street vendor I’ve tried. At least they only charge slightly more than other street vendors…
However, their food is worse too. Their pita is thinner and not as tasty as other random vendor’s I’ve tried; I couldn’t spy what brand they use, but I didn’t like it– or maybe they just over cook it? Their chicken is cut into ragged, nasty chunks of uneven size with no flavor and a chewiness that compares directly to pure fat or perhaps soft rubber. I’ll give them that their gyro meat itself tastes fine, but they probably buy it pre-made and still mange to ruin it by cutting it poorly.
When I order a platter I’m hoping for salad and rice; I usually pay a bit extra for the pita to be thrown in. I love that most other vendors chop the pita into triangles, to fit nicely in the container, and be easier to eat with a plastic fork and knife. Rafiqi’s doesn’t do that and they only give a fork and three thin napkins. Further their rice is over-cooked and has no flavor, although today mine did contain exactly one pea and one dice of carrot (seriously)! The salad is actually just lettuce with one slice of tomato, I’m not sure if that counts as salad.
And lastly, their yogurt sauce has no flavor; I think it literally is just yogurt in a squeeze bottle. And their hot sauce is pathetic.
So far, my favorite two street vendors that offer competing food are first the guy at 14th street & Park Ave, on the NE corner, in front of the supermarket (the one that’s usually closer to Park; I think there’s a second a bit further East along 14th). And, second, “(The Famous 53rd and 6th) Halal Foods“, which seems to be busiest around Midnight.
p.s. “Poodoo” is an expletive on Tatooine (I’m a geek) that means what it sounds like.
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come to Jackson Heights and have Sammy’s Halal. this is Halal to end all arguments.
you sir, are a hater!
i love rafiqi. i eat his stuff 2ce a week. i’ve eaten halal from other vendors and i always return to rafiqi.
I eat Rafiquis almost everyday, I am obsssed. maybe it just your personallity, because I have been to about 5 different stands in my last 5 years hear at work in NYC. The one I am currently at I dont even have to order, the guy knows what I would like when I walk up. he even takes the time to chop the delicious lamb meat up for me. Why does it matter how they chop the meat when its in your moth anyway its just getting mushed up. The workers, fore the most part are extremely congenial and serve great sized platters. As stated earlier by another reader, YOU ARE A HATER. I only used this post for additional locations because RAFIQUIS MAKES MY LUNCH! I actually brought some home to my gf and friends. they enjoyed itr so much wehen they have a day off they take the train or car into manhattan just for RAFIQUIS. I have other vendor foos and regardless what you are sayingf pal RAFIQUIS TOPS THE LIST! for a 5 dollar lunch with soda what are you looking for. Its great food at a great price with great freindly and fast service.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It is incorrect to call Lon a hater ( I have not tried Rafiqi’s). According to urban dictionary, a hater is ” A person that simply cannot be happy for another person’s success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person.” Since we often review positively about other places/food/vedors, we’re not “haters”.
Next, if you want to seem more credible in your comments, don’t be anonymous, and offer more info on your opinions about other vendors in the city. How does anyone know what your evaluation is based on and what your experience with food is?
Not that this is the ultimate authority, but Rafiqi’s wasn’t even a finalist in the Vendy awards.
@Rafiqi-obsessed Anon – Touchy on this subject, huh? I take it due to your rampant defense of the food, workers, service, and desire to eat it every day that you are emotionally tied to this, so you’re already biased. And whether you’re a loyal fan or actually an employee of Rafiqi’s, it doesn’t matter, since like Jessica said, it’s too bad you weren’t proud enough of your opinion to say to everyone who you are.
Even though you fail to make any factual points and can barely spell; I will address two things you mentioned in your post, because my response may be helpful to other readers…
1. Eating the exact same food almost everyday reduces your culinary knowledge, it does not strengthen it. If you ate the same cuisine, but different foods, I could at least acknowledge a depth in one cuisine, but you only eat from one vendor. If you want to have a valuable opinion (on any subject, not just food), you’re going to need to demonstrate knowledge and experience.
2. Food texture matters. Period. If you don’t _think_ you care how your food is chopped, I suggest taking your lunch, blending it and drink the mush from a glass. I suspect you’ll quickly realize how much texture matters.