Peanut Butter Fingers

Living a Life Fueled by Healthy Food and Fitness

Navigation
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Who’s Who
    • All About NASM
    • Disclaimer
    • Wedding
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy + Baby #2
    • Pregnancy + Baby #3
    • Miscarriages
  • Baby
  • Shop + Favs
    • My Amazon Shop
    • Codes + Discounts
    • Books
    • Blogging
  • Travel
    • Orlando & Florida
    • Blog Travel

Food Cart Food with Merri

May 9, 2012 by Julie 55 Comments

When I first found out I would be traveling to New York City, one of the first things that popped into my head was, “I have to see Merri!”

julie and merri

Merri and I met in college and have stayed close even though thousands of miles separate us now that she moved to New York City. (Merri was actually the one who made us our surprise wedding video!)

Merri is one of the most positive, bubbly people I know and I could spend hours and hours with her and we’d never shut up. She’s basically the best, so I was really excited to have a whole evening with her last night.

We met up right when I got off the plane. We wanted to grab dinner and keep things casual, so when Merri suggested checking out a local food cart, I was more than game.

IMG_0089-001

Merri never tried the food from The Halal Guys food cart before but heard amazing things. When she looked it up online, it actually had more than 2,500 reviews on Yelp with a 4 1/2 star rating so we were awfully intrigued! 

When we walked up, there was a short line and the food smelled unbelievable. We were both quite hungry, so I was excited to see that the portions were nice and big.

IMG_0090-001

I got the rice and pita bread bowl topped with chicken and added BBQ sauce and their white sauce before digging in.

IMG_0091-001IMG_0093-001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underneath all that chicken was a hearty layer of yellow rice. Normally I don’t really like yellow rice, but this rice was very good.

Both Merri and I ate almost our entire bowls of food and were absolutely stuffed. The food was so good that even when we both said we knew we were full, we just kept going and going.

With the food sitting like a rock in our stomachs, we welcomed the long walk back to my hotel!

IMG_0094-001

The walk through the city brought out the tourist in me and I literally stopped and stared as we passed by Bryant Park because it looked so beautiful. The little café chairs reminded me a lot of Paris. Doesn’t it look like such a romantic place for a fun date night in the summer?

We made it back to my hotel around 8:30 p.m. and Merri ended up staying until 11 p.m. which was so wonderful. I miss her so much! We used to go on morning walks with Sadie around Lake Eola in Orlando when we both lived there and I miss seeing her all the time.

Sometimes seeing friends I haven’t seen in a while makes it feel even harder when we part because I miss them like crazy all over again. Long distance friendships tug at my heartstrings! Thanks for such a great night, Mer!

This morning I awoke at 5 a.m. to meet up with Ashley to try out a new workout class, but I’ll be back to talk about that soon. I need a shower!

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Dinner Tagged With: dinner, food truck, New York City

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

« From Tampa to NYC
SoulCycle »

Comments

  1. Katie @ Katie Moves says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Awww love meet ups with old friends! you make me watt to visit the city too…the park looked lovely! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says

      May 9, 2012 at 7:36 am

      it was seriously so gorgeous! i wanted to have a romantic date with merri there at that very moment. 😀

      Reply
      • Merri says

        May 9, 2012 at 9:59 am

        hahaha next time JB…totally didnt realize that was your thang!!

        Reply
  2. Khushboo Thadani says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:38 am

    Sounds like a great time! With some friends, it really is about the quality of time spent versus the quantity :)! Enjoy your stay in NYC!

    Reply
  3. Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:42 am

    The best is when you see a friend that you haven’t seen in a long time. It’s like time has never passed. You always pick right up where you left off. That park looks so beautiful! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says

      May 9, 2012 at 7:49 am

      that is SO true. it feels like you never even missed a beat.

      Reply
  4. Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:44 am

    I love friend dates like that 🙂

    Reply
  5. Bonnie @ pastepants says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:58 am

    Oh that DOES look like such a romantic place to have a little summer date. Gorge!!!

    Reply
  6. Debbie says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:59 am

    Your food from the food cart looks delicious!! New York is one of my favorite places. There is always something going on and something new to see. A good friend of mine will be at the Meet and Tweet today. She is the director of a radio station app called Fit Radio. She is amazing and so is the company. I wish I could have gone to meet all you fantastic ladies that will be there speaking today 🙂

    Reply
  7. Angela says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:06 am

    love the halal guys! SO good! definite guilty pleasure whenever i’m in the city 🙂

    Reply
  8. Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:08 am

    Bryant park does look gorgeous! I’ve only been to NY once, on a school trip in High School. I really hope I can go back as a “grown up” to experience it more!

    Reply
  9. Becca says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Sounds like such a fun night! My husband and I both want to take a trip to New York. I think it would be a blast.

    Reply
  10. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:12 am

    Aww what a lovely day you guys had! I just got back from a trip to Australia where I was a bridesmaid in a wedding for one of my friends that I haven’t seen in 6 years, and like you and Merri, we picked up right where we left off. I love having friendships like that! I hope you have a great day today Julie!

    Reply
  11. Alysha @Shesontherun says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:14 am

    I’ve never been to NYC, but it’s on my bucket list of places to go. Hope the rest of your trip is just as fun!

    Reply
  12. Alyssa @ fit and fun in third says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:18 am

    How fun!! I’ve never eaten from a food cart but I always am so interested to try…. Your food looks amazing! Have a blast in the city this weekend 🙂

    Reply
  13. Traci says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:24 am

    Glad to hear you liked the cart! I live right in northern NJ so NYC is just a short ride away, but I’ve somehow never tried the food from that particular (very popular!) cart. I’ll have to try next time I’m in the city now that it’s passed your test! I feel the same way about my long distance friendships from both college and high school. Leaving them again is the worst, not having definite plans as to when I’m going to see them again. I suppose the feeling of being reunited and knowing nothing at all has changed is what keeps it going.

    Reply
  14. Suzanne says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:24 am

    A trip to NYC and eating from a food truck are on my bucket list! I know it is a crazy place but one I want to experience!!

    My best friend of 20 years lives in another state and we usually see each other twice a year….NOT enough!! Thank goodness for daily phone calls and Face Time. I guess for us, it is the norm though. We met our Freshman year of high school and the only year she lived in Texas.

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:31 am

    I just spent a long weekend in Chicago with two of my best friends from college and it made me miss living right next door to them. On the topic of Bryant Park and date nights, in the summer they have an outdoor movie series and hundreds of people set out blankets and picnics on the big lawn. Makes for an awesome date or friend-date night.

    Reply
  16. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:33 am

    I was in NYC in March and I think my friend and I passed that same cart – it was memorable because it smelled absolutely amazing!! I visited Bryant park for the first time this spring and loved it, but it looks even prettier in your picture. Can’t wait to hear how SoulCycle went!

    Reply
  17. Jenny says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:36 am

    Ah I just moved from new York city and my old job right in Bryant park! Brigs back a tinge of homesickness. Have such a great time! If you are in Tim’s square today from 4-6 the lovely trainers from Tone It Up! Are going to be at te Oakley store. You should go and see if they have any great giveaways!

    Reply
  18. Rachel @ Eat, Learn, Discover! says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:43 am

    Ahh the famous halal guy! My friends love that stuff, but unfortunately I can’t really stomach it. I miss NYC and all it’s glorious food carts. There’s an awesome app called tweat.it (or just go to that address on the computer) that will tell you where all the food trucks are at the moment. an nyc essential.
    have fun with friends and such!

    Reply
  19. Dana says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:46 am

    Looks like you’re down the block from my office on 6th Ave? I’m a born and raised New Yorker and have never had “street meat” – except the occasional hot dog or a hot pretzel or knish (which don’t count as meat). Glad you enjoyed!

    Reply
    • Dana says

      May 9, 2012 at 8:47 am

      Oops, sorry – “Avenue of the Americas” 🙂

      Reply
  20. Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says

    May 9, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I’m so glad you enjoyed your evening in the city. 🙂 I have lunch in Bryant Park a lot when the weather’s warm, and I can vouch for its wonderfulness! The best is when the lawn is open on sunny days and people are sunbathing, reading, and sometimes even playing frisbee. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Faith @ For the Health of It says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:02 am

    That park is gorgeous! I wish Orlando was a little more scenic like that.

    Reply
  22. Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:08 am

    I love New York! So happy you got to spend time with your friend. I have quite a few girlfriends that I can go years without seeing and when we get together, it’s like we don’t skip a beat! 🙂

    Reply
  23. joelle (on a pink typewriter) says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:25 am

    I lived in NYC for grad school, and people used to raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave about that food cart! I mean, the fact that it’s a food cart and actually on Yelp says a lot haha. I never actually tried it, but I was a sucker for the many coffee and bagel carts around. 😉

    Reply
  24. Stephanie @ My Freckled Life says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Yum, that food looks good! I’ve only ever been to New York once on a school trip (even though I only live a few hours away), but I have plans to go sometime in the next few months. I’m also totally with you on long distance friendships (or relationships) – while it’s so great to see them, saying goodbye is also so much harder! My fiance and I have been long distance for most of the 3.5 years we’ve been together, and it definitely never gets easier to say goodbye!

    Reply
  25. Steph @ StephSnacks says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Welcome to NYC! Sometimes food carts are the best and most authentic way to go 🙂

    Reply
  26. krystal@coffeecardiogoddess says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I really want to go to NYC someday. It is on my top list of places to visit. Have a great time!

    Reply
  27. Brenna says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I tried that same food cart when I was in New York last fall and it was amazing!! Next time I go back I will certainly get it again 🙂

    Reply
  28. Theresa says

    May 9, 2012 at 9:56 am

    awww so much fun! i’m prob gonna be hitting up the city in a few weeks to catch a show, i’ll need to possibly stop by that delicious food cart 🙂

    Reply
  29. Merri says

    May 9, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Last night was SO MUCH FUN!!! Wish it never ended!! LYMY!!! xoxoxoxoxo Have a FANTASTIC time at your Meet and Tweet my little blogger-roo!

    Reply
  30. Yellow Haired Girl says

    May 9, 2012 at 10:12 am

    One of my best friends and I have a dream to open a food truck. I swear we’re going to do it one day! That looks like a delicious meal 🙂

    Reply
  31. Hayley C @ Running Down the Runway says

    May 9, 2012 at 10:18 am

    My dream is to go on a food truck tour of NYC (okay just a food tour in general) but everything looks and sounds so delicious!!

    Reply
  32. Kaella (MrsNeithercut) says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:00 am

    This makes me miss NYC!!!!! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

    Reply
  33. Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Sounds fun! I love Bryant Park. It’s a great place to ice skate in the winter!

    Reply
  34. Nicole says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:14 am

    I used to work right around the corner from Bryant Part. They show outdoor movies there in the summer. And then there is Fashion Week.

    The Kidless Kronicles

    Reply
  35. Annette@FitnessPerks says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:26 am

    Gorgeous park!!!

    That food sounds amazing!

    Reply
  36. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:35 am

    I get the same way after seeing long distance friends. It makes me miss them that much more!!

    Reply
  37. Amy @Health Hungry says

    May 9, 2012 at 11:51 am

    That picture makes me want to visit NYC now! I have never been… Portland(just across the river from me) is known for their food carts – I can only imagine what they are like in NY! Reconnecting with your friend = perfect first day!

    Reply
  38. Angela @ Health, Happiness & Harmony says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    My boyfriend just began a new career right across the street from Bryant Park! Since I am a teacher and off during the summer we are planning date nights or lunches where I can come meet him there. Glad you had such a great time!

    Reply
  39. Sarah @ RunningChickago says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    love the pics! bryant park looks like a great place for a date night!

    Reply
  40. Abby @ Change of Pace says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Aw, sounds like a great date night!
    I’m too scared to try real food from a cart. (Dessert items are ok for me!) I need to get over that fear, as they always smell so good.

    Reply
  41. Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    We don’t really have food trucks here. I can think of three, maybe four. But one is incredible with mostly organic, local, fresh, homemade dishes. So good! Their menu rotates weekly and they feature a couple lunch items each day for only $5. And it’s posted online so you can check it the specials and find their location.

    Beautiful park photo! I would love to hang out there with on a date.

    Reply
  42. Brianna @ Don't Eat Crap says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I have to eat in a food cart soon!

    Reply
  43. Jane {In the Pink and Green} says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    It’s so great to see friends, I totally know how you feel as my best girlfriends are scattered all across the country…it makes it so special when you can get together! Have a fabulous time in NYC! I absolutely love that city, my sister lives there and I’m dying to go back for another visit soon! xoxo

    Reply
  44. Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola says

    May 9, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    Aww how fun that you were able to meet up with your friend while you were in NYC! I love food trucks and that particular one sounds fantastic! Bryant Park is gorgeous too- I was just there in January and walked through late in the evening when it was still bustling with people, there is def something special about it!

    Reply
  45. Lisa says

    May 9, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    The park looks so beautiful, it actually kind of looks like Paris haha. Random, but it does. I love when I get to see my friends when I haven’t seen them in so long, glad you got to reconnect and enjoy yourself!

    Reply
    • Alicia @ ellenbcookery says

      May 9, 2012 at 9:07 pm

      It does remind me of Paris! Sooo pretty! I think it’s the lights.

      Reply
  46. Laurel says

    May 9, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    WAHHHH! I miss Merri too 🙁 Glad you girls had fun!

    Reply
  47. Laura says

    May 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    Your picture of the park is great! My sister and I are in NYC for the first time and just ate at Bryant park grill for lunch! You should check it out if you have time! Maybe we are staying at the same place, If so, we will keep an eye out for you at the gym 😉 we both adore your blog!

    Reply
  48. Karen says

    May 9, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    LOVE Bryant park! I not only had a romantic date night there but I was proposed to there, it was magical!

    Reply
  49. Kim says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    Oh yeah, the chicken and rice cart! That stuff is GOOD!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Gift Card Hoarder | Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    June 22, 2012 at 9:10 am

    […] month when I was in New York, I spent a night hanging out with my friend Merri, eating delicious food from a street cart and chatting away in my hotel […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
NEVER MISS A POST!
FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestBloglovin
Follow

Search

Fashion Favorites

Beauty Favorites

Items I Swear By

Kid Favorites

Shop My Baby Essentials

Quick Links

  • Favorite Posts
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Fashion
  • Pregnancy/Baby
  • Family

Recent Posts

  • Things I’m Loving Friday #557
  • 10 Things to Do in Hilton Head with Kids
  • Ryder is SEVEN!
  • Summer So Far + Orlando Girls’ Trip
  • 10+ First Chapter Books

Categories

Archives

Disclaimer

I am not a registered dietitian. My blog is simply a documentation of my life. The views I express are mine alone, based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical advice. I DO NOT post everything I eat. Though I am a certified personal trainer, the workouts I post may not be right for you. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your current routine.

Affiliates

Please note that affiliate links may pop up on PBF from time to time. I greatly appreciate your support!
Privacy Policy

Copyright � 2013 Peanut Butter Fingers / Julie Fagan. All Rights Reserved.
Blog Designed by SWOON CREATIVE