A love letter to the 14th Street Halal cart by Trader Joe’s

Food carts in New York are a dime a dozen, so throughout my freshman year I wandered the city aimlessly. I tried plenty of carts, but failed to find the one that spoke to me. My cart.

At the beginning of my sophomore year I found it. There are quite a few carts which cater to the Union Square crowd, but in my experience the best one is wedged between Trader Joe’s and Joe’s Pizza on 14th Street.

I was introduced to the cart by a friend after we got off the 6 train just before 3am on a Saturday night.

Hello, is it me you’re looking for?

The cart’s menu boasts hot dogs, lamb or chicken gyros, chicken cheesesteaks, and so much more. Portions are substantial, the most expensive item on the list is only $5 and platters come with a free drink.

Even a poor college student can afford that.

So to that special cart I want to say: thank you. Thank you for being there when I stumble home ravenous and every other place is closed. Thank you for providing me with a filling meal when I have less than ten dollars to my name (and for leaving me with money to spare). Thank you for having few enough workers so they get to know what I like (lamb over rice, no hot sauce, extra white sauce).

But also thank you for having enough workers that if I go two nights in a row, the same person doesn’t see me twice. Thank you for always being in the same spot, just around the corner, a rare constant in this city.

My love

I know I can always count on you.