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Read the press release here.

Food Carts Square Off in Annual Vendy Awards

By Della Hasselle | September 20, 2011 2:44pm
Eager and hungry foodies lined up for fare during the 2010 Vendy Awards.
Eager and hungry foodies lined up for fare during the 2010 Vendy Awards.
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MANHATTAN — The top street food vendors will go apron-to-apron on Saturday for the much coveted Vendy Cup award, which goes to the city's best food cart.

The menu will have Latin food lovers salivating, as the list includes contenders from Dominican burgers, provided by Inwood vendor Chimichury el Malecon, to Central American food from Brooklyn-based Solber Pupasas

"Take it from a born and bred Dominican, these chimis are better than those in the homeland," a Vendy Award spokesperson wrote about the Inwood-based food cart Tuesday in a release announcing the 2011 finalists. "Not to mention, the sauce is like crack!"

Chimis, or Dominican-style hamburgers, are just the beginning of Latin-style specialties featured in the food truck award ceremony, held by the Street Vendor's Project at Governors Island.

Souvlaki GR on Old Slip, Downtown
Souvlaki GR on Old Slip, Downtown
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Souvlaki GR

There's also the Upper East Side's Eggstravaganza, a Mexican American chorizo-and-egg cart, and the Tamales Guadalupe cart, located in Brooklyn.

Halal food, souvlaki and falafel will also be featured at the seventh annual Vendy Awards. Sam's Falafel and Souvlaki GR will travel from Downtown, and Trini Paki Boys Halal Food will come from Midtown.

Many vendors are proud to represent foods from their native countries at the event, and spoke about the cuisine with adoration and reverence.

"I put all of my energy and my heart in my food. My food is good, unique and is made with love," Fatima Khan said about his Halal food truck, Trini Paki Boys. "I grind my own spices, make all my sauces from scratch and I never went to school to learn how to cook, I learned in my mother’s kitchen."

Sam's Falafel in Downtown.
Sam's Falafel in Downtown.
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