Latest news with #StephenYang
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Five amazing NYC food trucks that Yelp totally ignored
We were trucked over. When Yelp unveiled its list of the 100 top U.S. food trucks for 2025, it left out one crucial food mecca: New York City. The West Coast and Hawaii comprised the lion's share of the Bay Area-based site's countdown — while Gotham didn't even place in this gastronomic drag race. The closest movable feast was mobile sushi bar Wisp Express in Jersey City, New Jersey — ranked 75th. The Big Apple's mobile-dining gurus are understandably shocked by the diss, which was based on user reviews of 58,000 restaurants in its food truck category. 13 Birria-Landia specializes in Birria-style tacos on 70th Street and Amsterdam on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Stephen Yang for 'I take that very personally,' Ben Goldberg, co-founder and president of the mobile vendor advocacy group the New York Food Truck Association (NYFTA), told The Post. 'I mean, we have some amazing, amazing trucks in the city, and it is the culinary mecca of the world. So to not have [us] represented seems kind of crazy.' NYC's bountiful meals on wheels scene is particularly impressive given the bureaucratic hurdles it takes to own and operate a food truck here. One of the biggest obstacles is the ever-elusive food truck vending permit issued by the New York City Health Department. While the application process seems straightforward enough — aspiring street hawkers pay $50 to apply and are required to complete a food truck protection course ($53) — the delay getting a permit can be endless. 'There's a waiting list of about 10,000 people, and they're giving out about 400 a year,' Matt Shapiro, the legal advisor for the Street Vendor Project, told The Post. So, truck you, Yelp — we're on a, well, roll. The Post has compiled a non-loaded list of five of the hottest rolling restaurants in New York. For fairness, we're not including hidden gems known only by NYers, but rather institutions that have no business being snubbed by an international review platform. My big fat Greek food truck 13 Shawarma spins at King Souvlaki in Astoria, Queens, a ground zero for Greek street eats in NYC. Stephen Yang for A far cry from the Midtown's dry-meat mongers, King Souvlaki is at the tip of the skewer when it comes to the Greek scene, lavishing the city with authentic Grecian street eats since 1979. The cash-only mobile meat station, which also has outlets in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens (with two in Astoria alone), specializes in tender skewers from chicken to fragrant lamb sausage that are hand-spit and grilled over charcoal. They're then served kebab-style or swaddled in either pita ($11 for most items) or a baguette ($16) with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki sauce and hand-cut fries like a pan-Hellenic hero. Customers can also get a platter ($11) with a side salad, pita bread and tzatziki sauce — best eaten with a side of Greek fries that's festooned with organic feta cheese ($12). 13 Queens resident Katerina Apostolopoulus lauded King Souvlaki's 'authentic' Grecian eats and 'kind' service. Stephen Yang for Unlike the Midtown Greek carts frequented by the 'I Love NY' T-shirt crowd, King Souvlaki is endorsed by the olive oil-blooded clientele who keep them afloat. 'Most of our customers are Greek,' second-generation owner Lampros Tsampas told The Post of their Astoria locations. 'It's really authentic,' 30-year-old Queens resident Katerina Apostolopoulus, who is Greek, told The Post. 'You want to get it in the bread. That's the classic.' Also, don't worry if you have no cash on hand — King Souvlaki has an ATM built right into the truck. That's a wheely good wrap 13 Thiru Kumar, aka the 'Dosa Man,' mans his cart in Washington Square Park. Stephen Yang for OK, it's technically not a full-on truck and is more of a cart. But when it comes to NYC 'wrap' battles, NY Dosas reigns supreme. For over two decades, Kandaswamy Thirukumar has been serving this savory Indian rice and lentil crepe out of his cart in Washington Square Park, attracting Disneyland-esque lines around the block. The à la cart fare is strictly vegan — a lifestyle the Sri Lanka transplant adopted 20 years ago — but the food doesn't sacrifice flavor for ideology. 13 A Pondicherry dosa with crisp vegetables. Stephen Yang for 13 The line at NY Dosas in Washington Square Park. Stephen Yang for Dosa highlights include masala with potatoes ($9), Pondicherry with crisp salad greens ($10) and even a vegan soy 'drumstick' ($3) Not just a hometown hero, NY Dosas has been featured in international newspapers from the UK to Japan, as well as in Vice's now-defunct food series 'Munchies.' In 2007, Thirukumar notably won a Vendy Award — essentially the Oscar of the NYC street food scene. Just be sure to check the in-demand dosa dynamo's Instagram page to see if he's working that day. Honor 'roll' 13 Jeremy Batista's Bodega Truck rolls through different boroughs, dispensing his renowned chopped cheese sandwiches. Jeremy Batista's Bodega Truck is a rolling chopped-cheese depot created in homage to the Bronx corner store where he spent a lot of time as a kid. It specializes in different varieties of the bodega staple that consists of griddle-cooked beef topped with cheese and paired with lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mayo, and bookended by either a classic roll ($9) or baguette ($11). The truck has become such a sensation that it's spawned two brick-and-mortar stores — one in Brooklyn (139 Havemeyer St.), the other in the Bronx (1091 Ogden Ave.) — with a UK pop-up slated for London next month. 13 The Dominican sandwich at Bodega Truck. 'My mother owned a bodega when I was younger, so I grew up in a bodega — that was just my life,' the nostalgic 'Chop Cheese Papi' told The Post. 'As you get older, things just start getting modernized and gentrified, and things are really not how they were, the old New York that I grew up and loved. 'So, one idea turned to the next, and I had the opportunity to open up a food truck, and I was, like, 'Wow, let me pay a little tribute to my childhood.'' Other varieties include the Good Mawning ($12) with hash brown and egg, and The Dominican ($13) over fries with fried cheese, salami and cabbage. Unlike many food trucks, this bodegamobile is not stationary and hits up a different borough each day like a roving ice cream truck. 'If you have a truck and you can move around, why wouldn't you?' said Batista, who posts updates on the chopped-cheese carriage's location via Instagram. Alas, like many things in the city, the food truck scene is demanding and ever-changing, and due to the grueling nature of his operation — Batista logged 18-hour days that started with finding parking at 4 a.m. — he has temporarily pulled the mighty Bodega Truck out of commission. 'It's a lot of things to juggle with the truck,' he lamented in a testament to his success. 'I know the truck is just a hard life, brother.' But hang in there: Batista plans to have the uber-popular food mobile 'back out on the street for three days a week by the end of the summer.' Landia ho! 13 'I don't underestimate [using] good quality meat in the tacos,' said Birria-Landia co-owner José Moreno (middle). Stephen Yang for While many food trucks do a hundred different dishes poorly, Birria-Landia specializes in one item — and knocks it out of the park. They arguably helped birria become a city-wide sensation with copper-colored pouches of goodness springing up on nearly every corner, helping fill a void in the NYC Mexican scene. For those unfamiliar, birria is a flavorful Tijuana-style beef that's baptized in tangy, brawny consummé — the lifeblood of the restaurant. 13 The wondrously coppery and crunchy birria tacos at Birria-Landia. Stephen Yang for The bronze liquid is also used to coat the corn tortillas, turning them crimson before they're deep-fried and paired with cilantro, onions and spicy sauce ($4). The broth is so prized that people can even order it individually ($5 for a small cup, $6 for a large). For owner José Moreno, who started the concept with his brother Jesús, it's all about the quality of the beef, which is cooked daily. 'I don't underestimate [using] good quality meat in the tacos,' said the proud owner, a former Eataly NYC chef. In 2017, Moreno was inspired to create the concept after seeing its prevalence in San Diego and visited Tijuana to see how the sausage was made, so to speak. Fast forward to today, and the brothers have a convoy of five mobile taco vendors across the city, as well as an immobile outlet in Flushing, Queens. When pigs fry 13 Lechonera La Piraña owner Angel Jimenez poses with his restaurant's roast namesake. Stephen Yang for It's hard to believe that some of the city's best lechon — roasted suckling pig cooked over charcoal — would be served out of Lechonera La Piraña, a post-apocalyptic-looking trailer in the Bronx. Featured in Vice, on 'Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern' and more, Angel Jimenez's swine dining depot at 766 E. 152nd St. is always swarming with customers, some of whom hail from as far as Connecticut or New Jersey to get a bite. The pig is cooked in a four-tiered sidewalk barbecue and ferried to the venue via handcart, where the crackling, moist hunks of pork are hacked to order with the Puerto Rican native's machete. 13 A dish of lechon, shrimp, rice and octopus at Lechonera La Piraña. Stephen Yang for 13 Foodies sample the popular roast pork in The Bronx. Stephen Yang for Go whole hog with all the trimmings: a dune of rice, sparklingly fresh octopus salad, stewed shrimp, and a whole, al dente plantain ($25). Best of all, the congenial proprietor, clad in his token straw hat, will serve waiting customers samples straight off his blade. On a recent visit, a small girl was briefly startled by his sharp hog-hacker — until he handed the beaming child a ration of pork. This jewel of Nuyorican cuisine is only open on Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6:30 p.m. Jimenez has retired his old vehicle but has kept on truckin' — he's currently running his operation out of an interim tent, with plans for pulling up in a brand-new mobile meal station soon.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
US inflation heats up to 2.7% — a possible sign that Trump tariffs have begun to sting
US inflation ticked up in June in a possible sign that President Trump's tariffs are starting to sting. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% in June from the year before, matching economists' expectations but coming in above the previous month's 2.4% reading, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday. US inflation rose in line with forecasts in June. Stephen Yang Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, gained 2.9% from a year earlier, above the previous month. On a month-to-month basis, headline inflation rose 0.3%, in line with forecasts but above the previous month's 0.1% jump. The indexes for used cars and trucks and new vehicles were among those that saw the most substantial declines in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That came as a surprise for economists, who were calling for upticks in auto and apparel prices — two of the sectors that are hardest hit by tariffs. This story is developing. Please refresh for updates.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Timeless love: Patients at Bronx nursing home tie the knot in sweet ceremony before crowd of staff, friends
A good marriage needs patients. A pair of lovebirds on Thursday exchanged vows, rings and hope for the future in a Bronx nursing home — where they first fell head over heels in love. A crowd of fellow patients, family, nurses and even the facility's therapy dog looked on as Al Cappiello, 76, and Elizabeth Bly, 51, shared their first kiss as man and wife at RiverSpring Living's Nursing Home — in what is the first marriage for both. Advertisement 7 Al Cappiello, 76, and Elizabeth Bly, 51, share a kiss after tying the knot. Stephen Yang 'Anything is possible. You can find love anywhere — age is just a number,' Cappiello told The Post after cementing his nuptials. 'I'm very lucky. I'm so, so, so happy,' said Bly, originally or Harlem. Advertisement The sweethearts planned every detail of the ceremony inside the Riverdale senior facility's banquet room, from the Greek-inspired backdrop to the deeply rich purple tablecloths that matched Bly's wedding dress — a color she chose over white simply because it's her favorite. Other residents served as the groomsmen and bridesmaids, while Daisy, the home's beloved therapy dog, served as flower girl and preceded Bly down the aisle. 7 The marriage is the first for both Cappiello and Bly. Stephen Yang 7 The lovebirds first met a the nursing home in 2023. Stephen Yang Advertisement 7 Daisy, the home's therapy dog, served as the flower girl. Stephen Yang Bly, fittingly, walked down in front of their friends and family — including her adult son — as Jennifer Olegario, the home's occupational therapist, sang Etta James' 'At Last.' 'Did you ever hear the words? 'At last my love has come along.' The way that I feel, the way she feels. It's romantic!' said Capiello, a retired substance abuse counselor. The pair of lovebirds first met back in 2023 when Bly first joined the home to rehabilitate some issues she was having with her legs. Advertisement 7 Cappiello popped the question last July on Bly's birthday. Stephen Yang At the time, Cappiello was a staple of the home and was even part of a rag-tag group of 'Golden Guys' known for wisecracking and card games. He was immediately enchanted by the newbie, whom he described as coquettishly 'quiet and shy' and made it a mission to get to know her better. Bly was at first suspicious of Cappiello and his forward manner — but she ultimately gave him a chance to become a much-needed friend as she transitioned into a permanent resident. 7 Bly chose a purple wedding dress simply because it is her favorite color. Stephen Yang Their friendship slowly blossomed into romance until Bly's birthday last July — when Cappiello popped the question with an engagement ring and a butterfly ring. The nursing home romance is the second for the gentleman. His previous seven-year romance with Gloria, another resident, tragically ended several years prior with her death. 'I'm extremely happy. This is the second time he's found love here, and I never thought he'd find love again. I'll start to cry if I think about it,' Jeff Hyman, Cappiello's best man and best friend of 35 years, said. Advertisement 7 'Anything is possible. You can find love anywhere — age is just a number,' Cappiello said. Stephen Yang But despite entering their sunset years single, neither Cappiello nor Bly gave up hope that they might one day have a ring on their fingers. Whether they'll move in together inside the nursing home, however, is still up in the air. 'We're not to that point. We have to figure it out!' Bly said.
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Severe thunderstorm warning sparks travel chaos as major airports ground flights — including JFK and LaGuardia
Country-wide thunderstorm alerts caused a slew of flights to be grounded at multiple major airports, with some lasting through Tuesday night in New York. The Federal Aviation Administration issued ground stops for flights departing from JFK International Airport, Newark Liberty Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. 4 Thousands of flights were delayed or canceled Tuesday due to severe thunderstorms nationwide. Stephen Yang Advertisement Delays at Philadelphia International Airport and LaGuardia Airport are issued through Tuesday night, according to the FAA. Flights at JFK and Newark were halted until at least 5:15 p.m., but it started to thunder in NYC shortly before 8 p.m. 4 JFK and LaGuardia Airports were included in the ground stops. bluebeat76 – Advertisement Further down the East Coast, flights in Baltimore and Washington were stopped until 5:30 p.m. All of the airports also have a ground delay lasting through Wednesday, according to the FAA. At LaGuardia and JFK, wait times surpassed an hour and a half, according to the National Airspace System Status, complicating many travelers' returns after the long 4th of July weekend. The stall marks the second major flight kerfuffle at America's airports in less than a month. Advertisement 4 This is the second major airport delay spurred by bad weather in the past month. REUTERS On June 30, a similar wave of thunderstorms grounded thousands of flights along the East Coast, backing up some airports for hours. As of 8 p.m., 7,196 had been cancelled within, into, or out of the United States, according to FlightAware. 4 More severe weather is anticipated later this week. AP Advertisement On top of that, more than 26,000 flights experienced delays. Torrential rainfall is expected in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, DC, on Thursday and Friday, which could spark even more flight complications later in the week. Flash flood warnings are still active in parts of Texas, just days after the Guadalupe River flooded, including Austin and San Antonio, with more than 100 people killed in the deluge. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms are expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic, namely Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas throughout the rest of the week.
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Sales at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus plunge after merger — while Bloomingdales and Nordstrom see spike: report
Luxury retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus have suffered double-digit sales declines since their blockbuster merger last year — while downmarket rivals Bloomingdales and Nordstrom have seen sales surge, according to a report. The $2.7 billion merger six months ago, which also included Bergdorf Goodman, created the largest luxury retailer in the world. But the new powerhouse, known as Saks Global, has struggled to squeeze growth out of the posh department stores during a global slowdown in luxury spending, Bloomberg reported on Monday. Saks Fifth Avenue sales fell 16% during the first quarter ended in April compared to a year ago, while Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman dropped 10%, according to Bloomberg Second Measure data, which looks at debit and credit card purchases. Advertisement 6 Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus are more exposed to the high-end luxury downturn than Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, the company said. Stephen Yang 6 Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus formed Saks Global in December, becoming the largest luxury retailer in the world. Bloomberg via Getty Images June was even worse, with Saks' year-over-year sales falling 28%, while Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman each plunged 26%, according to the report. Bloomberg acknowledged that the declines could be exaggerated because its data focuses primarily on debit card spending, 'which means that the sales slowdown could appear sharper than it really is,' Bloomberg said. Advertisement Meanwhile, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom each enjoyed year-over-year sales increases of more than 10% for the first quarter, according to the data. Saks Global declined to comment on the Bloomberg data, but a spokesperson for the company said Nordstrom and Bloomingdales don't belong in its uber luxury sandbox. 'To compare us to Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, it's important to note that Saks Global is far more exposed to the high-end luxury brand matrix, which has been going through a challenging moment,' a Saks Global spokesperson told The Post. Advertisement Saks Global also pointed out that the early summer is typically the slowest period of the year for retail sales. 6 Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman were acquired by Saks Fifth Avenue in a $2.7 billion deal. Bloomberg via Getty Images The merger, however, has failed to quell jittery vendors who have not been paid in full for their goods for more than a year – and have withheld inventory as a result. It has also amplified the anxiety of investors about Saks Global's ability to pay its bills. Advertisement At the end of May, Saks Global secured an additional $350 million in financing, quashing reports that it might not be able to make its first $120 million interest payment on the $2.2 billion in bonds that it sold to acquire Neiman Marcus. 6 Despite a luxury downturn, sales at Bloomingdales are increasing. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post It has identified an additional $100 million of savings, bringing the total to $600 million that it expects to save over the next five years, including layoffs which have already begun, the company said. 'Saks Global remains on target for the $600 million in annual synergies' executive chairman, Richard Baker told The Post. Nevertheless, its challenges are significant, including from customers who may have defected to its competitors after a snafu with its returns process this year, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mary Ross Gilbert. 6 Nordstrom Rack is a budget friendly chain that attracts mainstream shoppers. Christopher Sadowski 'It's just so much easier to shop elsewhere,' Ross Gilbert said. Earlier this year, returns were taking longer to process after the company was hit by fraudsters who were returning items they never purchased from the company. Advertisement 'We put controls in place that delayed the process, but that's behind us now,' the spokesperson said. 6 Marc Metrick is the CEO of Saks Global. Getty Images Saks Global released its financial performance publicly for the first time since the December merger in May. Revenues for the combined entity were down 10% to $7.3 billion, while profits were 130 basis points lower than the prior year. Advertisement Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $102 million, including $42 million contributed by Neiman Marcus in the six weeks after the transaction closed. 'We have made significant progress integrating our organizations…all of which will help us to drive improved sales performance in fiscal 2025,' Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick said in a statement at the time.
