Bodega Orders (NYC’s Top 10) to Make You Full

1. New York Bagel

• Some bodegas specialize in bagels and even have the traditional boiled bagels ready to rumble with all the cream cheese flavors you could ever imagine. Although it can be a hot debate for locals, if the bagel’s fresh- skip the toasting! Add an egg and some slices of bacon with a hash brown in between- or your other favorite toppings to make it more filling. Wish you could get your hands on a NYC bagel from out of state? Try these bagels from an NYC bakery that can be shipped to your door and frozen for up to 6 months!

2. Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on a Roll (A.K.A. BEC)

3. Chopped Cheese on a Hero

4. Chicken Parm

• Crispy fried chicken and stringy mozzarella doused in marinara sauce on a garlic-y hero. If the bodega’s fancy they might toss on some basil. Without a doubt, this is another one of those classic bodega orders that every New Yorker loves. Try it at a bodega in Nolita/Little Italy or Little Italy in the Bronx for extra points. You’re welcome for this one!

5. Jamaican Beef Patty

• Its flakey yellow-y crust is typically made from Jamaican coco bread, (the crust gets its color from turmeric and/or curry spices), which is then wrapped around spicy ground beef. You can also ask to add in cheese if that’s more your style! (There’s nothing like a warm beef patty to cap off a late night!) It’s also the perfect in-between snack. Miss beef patties after you leave? Try microwave ones like these!

6. Chicken Cutlet

• Fried to a golden crispy perfection, a moist chicken cutlet is the key ingredient to this sandy! Next, add on your choice of veggies (lettuce, tomato, and onion are the recommended) and finally, choose some creamy condiments like mayo or ranch with a dab of mustard or even honey mustard. If you want to go all out, ask to add bacon or avocado for extra flare. Honorable mentions to roasted red peppers and banana peppers for more topping options! This is one of those bodega orders you should request on a hero- extra large and extra delicious!

7. Halal Mixed Lamb & Chicken Over Rice

• Juicy marinated chicken and lamb over rice (which is sometimes infused with turmeric or saffron) covered in delicious white sauce and/or hot sauce. Although you’ll typically get enough white sauce to drown in, that’s nothing to complain about! The meal sometimes comes with a cucumber/house salad and fries.

8. Deli Sandwich

• This one is one of those bodega orders that depends on your cravings! Pretty much any deli sandwich is at your disposal. In short, choose your meat, cheese, veggies, condiments, and bread, and there you go! Personally, I’m partial to a classic turkey on wheat with all the fixings and even some avocado. Another good NYC spectacular is the classic pastrami on rye.

9. Lamb or Chicken Gyro

• Soft tzatziki sauce (cucumber-dill yogurt) coated pita filled with tender meat and topped with veggies (usually lettuce, tomato, onions, cucumber, and sometimes feta). Gyros are typically very filling and flavorful.

10. Caesar Wrap

• Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, croutons, parmesan cheese, and caesar dressing rolled into a tortilla. Cesar dressing tastes like creamy, garlic-y, lemon-y, (sometimes anchovy), and peppery goodness-here’s one of my favorites! You can find a caesar salad at almost any restaurant in the city- why not try it in a wrap? This is a great lunch option and most bodegas offer it in its classic salad form as well. In fact, similar to deli sandwiches, you can usually find any salad al a cart as well!

No matter what order you decide to go with- everything on this list is a New York Classic and must try the next time you’re in New York City. Have you tried any of these orders before? What were your thoughts? We’d also love to know some of your favorite bodegas to visit in the comments. Thank you for reading and happy eating!

yours, Belle