Food carts and trucks around NYC

Wafels and Dinges’ mobile home

Photograph: David Rosenzweig

As you probably know, there’s more to NYC street food than dirty-water dogs and pretzels the size of your kid’s head. Here are some of our favorite food carts and trucks; all are convenient to places you’ll find yourself this summer.

Endless Summer Tacos
Two very Williamsburg guys crank out five kinds of California-style tacos, including seitan (wheat gluten). Be sure to ask for “mild” if your child is heat-averse. On most Saturdays throughout the summer, nearby McCarren Park hosts the new outdoor branch of the Artists and Fleas Market (artistsandfleas.com through June 6), where you’ll find kiddie goods from local vendors like Karen’s Monsters and Charlie and Sarah. Bedford Ave at North 6th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (347-400-8128, endlesssummertacos.com). Daily from noon until way past bedtime.

NY Dosas
After your tots finish their Washington Square Park playground romp, visit the vegan cart presided over by Thiru Kumar, who is happy to make suggestions from his mostly South Indian menu. My kids love the Special Pondicherry dosa ($6), which comes stuffed with potatoes and veggies. If the enormous crêpe is too much of a commitment, try the vegan drumsticks (soy protein on a sugarcane stick, $1.75). Washington Sq South at Sullivan St (917-710-2092). Mon–Sat 11am–4pm.

Treats Truck goodies

Photograph: Cinzia Reale-Castello

Red Hook Ball Field Food Vendors
A Brooklyn tradition for more than 30 years, this weekends-only outdoor food court offers a crash course in Latin American street eats. Kids will gobble up goodies like Mexican huaraches (a sandal-shaped cornmeal pancake), Salvadoran pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas) and Ecuadoran empanadas. Wait 30 minutes after feasting, then hit Red Hook Park’s outdoor pool, or head to Ikea, a few blocks away. Red Hook Park, Clinton St at Bay St, Red Hook, Brooklyn (myspace.com/redhookfoodvendors). Sat, Sun 10am–9pm through mid-October.

Sammy’s Halal
En route to the New York Hall of Science or the Queens Zoo? Make a pit stop at the Jackson Hts–Roosevelt Ave (or adjoining 74th St–Broadway) station. Across from the subway entrance is this award-winning cart, which you’ll recognize by the long lines. Rest assured, the food is worth the wait. Share a justly renowned marinated chicken and basmati rice platter ($5), or go for pita bread wrapped around tender chicken, lamb or beef ($2). 73rd St at Broadway, Jackson Heights, Queens (sammyhalalfood.com). Daily 10am–midnight.

Treats Truck
This lorry, aptly named Sugar, stocks everything from old-fashioned oatmeal cookies ($1) to daily specials like ice cream cone cupcakes ($3.25). A “sugar dot,” or mini sprinkle cookie, will set you back just 50 cents. On Saturdays, Sugar rolls into the Upper West Side and onto Broadway, just blocks from the Museum of Natural History. Multiple locations (212-691-5226, treatstruck.com)

Wafels and Dinges
Tell your kid to l’eggo that Eggo and sample the Belgian original. Crispy Brussels waffles ($4) may be crowned with extras like maple syrup, coconut flakes or dulce de leche (toppings 50 cents to $1 each). The “wafelini” ($2) is a mini Liège waffle (richer and chewier than the Brussels style) served on a stick with fresh fruit. On weekends, get your fix in Park Slope (Seventh Ave at Carroll St), two blocks from Prospect Park. Multiple locations (866-429-7329, wafelsanddinges.com)

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