14 Insanely Delicious Bites From Mad. Sq. Eats 2014 (Slideshow)
Now in its sixth year, the pop-up market, presented by UrbanSpace and the Madison Square Park Conservancy, opened on Friday and has a stellar lineup for its autumn incarnation.
Mighty Balls
Gourmet meatballs are sold here in several varieties, including beef, pork, turkey, and veggie, and you can top yours with various sauces in several heat levels as well as your choice of cheese.
Hong Kong Street Cart
These cold peanut noodles are one of the offerings inspired by — what else? — Hong Kong-style street food. Other options include ramen, dim sum, and green mango salad.
Torta al Testo
Run by Turan, these flatbread sandwiches are filled with offerings including spinach and sausage, prosciutto and mozzarella, and grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini, and scamorza.
Charlito’s Cocina
Specializing in pressed Italian panini, they also sell salume and cheese. This one contains black truffle salami, fresh mozzarella, and arugula.
La Sonrisa
Empanadas sold here include coconut curry chicken, pulled pork, beef, roasted chicken, and queso.
Brooklyn Oyster Party
East Coast and West Coast oysters are shucked to order, and are available here for $2.75 each or $16 for a half-dozen.
Breads Bakery
Offerings include fresh breads and pizzas as well as sandwiches and other pastries both sweet and savory, but definitely don't miss their legendary babka.
The Gumbo Bros.
Founders Adam Lathan and Clay Boulware met as undergrads at Louisiana State, and decided to bring their authentic gumbo (based on Lathan's family recipes) to New York. They include the tomato-based Frenchman Street Creole Gumbo (with shrimp, sausage, and okra), Nanny's Cajun Gumbo (chicken and sausage, pictured), and a vegan collard green and black eyed pea gumbo.
The Cannibal
These sandwiches are good enough to stop you dead in your tracks, and include the famed pig's-head Cuban, roast beef, and turkey sandwiches. The grilled cheese definitely isn't like grandma made; it's made with pancetta, mozzarella, and Brussels sprouts.
Calexico
This Cal-Mex favorite is selling $5 tacos, filled with Baja fish, pork, or chipotle tofu (pictured).
Roberta’s
This Bushwick landmark is selling a variety of made-to-order pizzas.
Pig & Khao
Chef Leah Cohen's restaurant is represented here, selling Southern Thai curry wings (pictured), noodles, spring rolls, and banh mi.
Takumi Taco
This stall specializes in Japanese-inspired Mexican street food, with tacos, burrito bowls, tostadas, and nachos all for sale, like you've never seen them before.
Sigmund’s
Sigmund's is selling their popular German-style pretzels as well as a handful of sandwiches, including a grilled kielbasa, house-roasted turkey Waldorf, smoked mozzarella, and a Reuben made with homemade corned beef (pictured).