After nearly 4 years of running this blog as somewhat of a food journal for Spud and I, with reviews of all the memorable food outings we have shared, we are now reigning it in a little. In order to focus the content, and offer readers what we think will be a more valuable service, we are only posting about dishes that can be consumed for $10 or less. So, no more Blue Hills and Babbos, but all “cheap eats”. We will be offering you the best NYC (and sometimes beyond) has to offer: food trucks, sundaes, pizza, budget meals, tacos, and much more.

So you can expect more frequent reviews, better photography and features like “Thursday Travels”, which will spotlight great eats we have experienced throughout the country and the world. If you have just been RSSing us, check out our new logo and design. WeCouldEat will soon be on Facebook as well.

So please keep being loyal readers and definitely keep eating!!!

Scott & Katie

Enjoy, I certainly did,
Scott

Simply stated, I really want to like Cascabel, there’s nothing really wrong with it, but I just can’t seem to put my finger on why I wasn’t happier there… Cascabel is a little storefront taco place on 2nd Ave that opened a few months ago. The food is good, the signature tacos are quite flavorful and tasty. We tried two standard ones: the camaron and the carnitas. Both the shrimp and the pork were cooked well and the tacos were well-dressed with high quality versions of the standard taco fillings. We tried the rich cheese slathered corn on the cob, and the quinoa and beans – an upscale, healthier version of the standard rice & beans. The fresh squeezed lime aqua fresca was delicious and refreshing. So the food isn’t the problem here. It’s not cheap ($7.50 for 2 tacos), but certainly a good value for the neighborhood. The patron orders at the counter, and the food is delivered at the table, and drinks are refreshed by a server, all of whom are helpful. I even really liked the decor of the Mexican wrestlers, which provided a unique Mexican vibe. The seating was one problem, because it’s a tiny place with only a few tables, so I felt a little cramped and rushed, plus people waiting for tables are standing over you. But I guess overall, I think my main gripe is that it’s just too contrived. It’s not authentic. It’s just a little too well-executed for a “taco stand”. But I guess it’s an Upper East Side version, so while it isn’t my favorite, I’m sure most people in the area will love it. And if my arm is twisted, I’m sure I’d return for a few tacos and cervezas.

Check out our previous Camembert recipe!

1st stop:
Pomme Frites
123 Second Ave (7th/St Marks), NYC

This well-known counter/tiny storefront has arguably the best fries on the planet. They are slightly less thick than steak fries and perfectly crispy and salty. They are scrumptious on their own, but the creative plethora of sauces puts them on an even higher level. We had the Vietnamese Pineapple Mayo, Wasabi Mayo and War Sauce (Frite Sauce, Peanut Satay and Raw Onion). All were incredible. Of course my lady, Spud, was in potato heaven. This is a craving we’d have daily if we lived in the hood. There are only maybe 12 seats, but the place has faux Belgian feel. The fries come in a paper cone and all the tables have little holes that fit the cone. It’s a nice touch. And all for $7.

2nd stop:
Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches
150 2nd St (A/B), NYC

I had heard about Nicky’s awhile back, but never got there until now. The facade is a regular awning and the inside is nothing special either. There are 3 small tables and looking around you might think you were in a pizza place or coffee spot. The Simpsons DVD was playing in a loop on the flat-screen TV. The vibe is a low key neighborhood feel that caters to a lot of regulars. Spud and I split a Classic Vietnamese Sandwich: Pâté, Vietnamese ham, roasted ground pork, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and mayo on a toasted French baguette. The melange of ingredients yielded complex interesting flavors and textures – it was tasty. The ground pork and pickles carrots stood out to me more than the other ingredients. While I did enjoy it, I don’t think it will be a destination for us. Although I would definitely eat it again and try some of the other sandwiches: Chicken, Sardine and Pork Chop. It certainly makes for a better lunch than a standard grilled chicken or deli sandwich. $5.

3rd stop:
Snack Dragon Taco Shack
199 East 3rd Street (Ave B), NYC

I found this place on Menupages and its name makes for a decent description. It’s a window with one employee and a few chairs outside. As small as it is, it definitely has a funky Avenue B attitude. It is directly across from Mama’s Food Shop – one of our all-time favorites. There are Christmas lights up and an eclectic mix of info and kitsch. We ordered a carne asada taco and it was delicious and beautiful looking. The blue corn tortilla contrasted with the red salsa and bright green herbs. The meat was tender and spices were authentic. This is not a typical fast food taco. My only regret is that we did not order several. They are really good and really difficult to share with another person. If you are in alphabet city, Snack Dragon makes an awesome meal or snack. $5 ($4 during happy hour 4-6p).

4th stop:
Sundaes and Cones
95 East 10th Street (3rd), NYC

After this food, we needed a cool treat. S & C is an ultra-modern spotless ice cream shop. It is the opposite of the old fashioned ice cream shop. The staff is Asian and efficient and you come here for the frozen treats, not for the atmosphere or experience. The ice cream is quite good though and the Asian inspired flavors are unique. Not sure that I have ever seen flavors like Wasabi, Ginger, Sesame Seed and Black Bean. I had the Lychee which was interesting, but not really good or bad, and the maple walnut which was good. The wifesters had pumpkin which was amazing. All the ice creams were thick and dense with a rich creamy texture. This is “real” ice cream with a high fat content, which makes it tasty of course. Maybe next time we will try a sundae or 3. $8.

After, we took a few hours off and saw a good movie at the Sunshine. Man on Wire is a great documentary. Phillipe Petit performed the most amazing/crazy feat I have ever seen in my life. Down the block from the theater we found a Chickpea for some fast Middle-Eastern grub.

5th stop:
Chickpea
147 East Houston (2nd Ave/Chrystie)
This place is tasty and reliable, although it has too much of a chain feel for me. We had platters of baked falafel and hummus and chicken shwarma with salad and pita. Some good healthy food to round out the day. Doesn’t their chickpea logo look like something else? A vagina or butt, perhaps? Maybe they should re-think it. The platters were fine, but next time I’ll have the shwafal sandwich, their specialty of falafel and shwarma, and skip the thick plastic packaging. The menu is slightly confusing and could use some deals instead of the mix-n-match structure. $19.

So this was an exciting afternoon and evening of eating and wandering around the EV. We ate lunch and dinner at 5 joints representing 5 different cuisines. All for $39 for both of us. This city can actually be quite cheap if maneuvered properly. Either way, it certainly is fun.

A big shout-out to Mr. Headphones for keeping the Inside Dishes flowing…