Grubby: Pommes Frites

Ok. This is kinda a gimme. Everyone has relied on this establishment, as one does a sponge, to soak up unwanted, or shall I say overwelcomed, fluids. I'm going to post it anyway, if only because I happened to take pictures there.

Ahh, yes, the Belgian frites place. Filled with ravenous grease seakers, drunk or otherwise, day and night. It is consistent. It is somewhat affordable. It offers a hundred sauces (Fairly useless most of them, I'm sure. Horseradish mayo was dissapointing despite my adoration for both ingredients). Despite believing myself fairly cosmopolitan, I still feel American shame and disgust darting from the eyes of onlookers if mayo is used as a dipping sauce. Freedom can be had on 2nd Ave! At this "Euro" establishment, I may shamelessly dunk in mayo to my heart's content (my heart likes it!). Me likey.

Info: you know where it is. Open when you've been drinking.

Grubby: Porchetta

Playing catch up here. Porchetta has been hyped pretty big by Time Out and others. A porchetta is basically a slow-roasted boneless pork roast. At Porchetta in the East Village, rosemary and thyme crusted pork roast fills fresh, crusty Italian bread in a tasty, if not slightly high priced, $10 sandwich. It's a hole in the wall place - a couple of bench spots for eating in - with a big oven slow-roasting massive appendages of pork.

This sandwich really has to be all about the pork. And was it? Meh...kinda, I guess? Really, the highlight of the sandwich is the 10 or so pieces of cracklins, or fried pork skin, thrown in like delicous croutons on an underwhelming salad. Considering it is filled to the brim with pork that has been roasted for hours, little pieces of skin should not overwhelm my attention. The herbed edges of the pork were flavorfull but for flesh cooked over such a long time, I found it not nearly delicate enough and too dessicated. The bread and cracklins shouldn't be the highlight!

We also ordered some darkly roasted potatoes covered in thyme that were just fine. Again, not amazing. Listen, I'd try it again - I'm not going to damn it because of one sandwich. And you should try as well, because enough people have raved and the potential is absolutely there. But, I've warned you - the delicious inputs may not result in a satisfying output.

Info: 110 E 7th St. Open Daily 12-10.

Grubby: Tuck Shop

Awkwardly billed "The Great Aussie Bite", Tuck Shop was introduced to me by Stephen. This here is drinkin' food - meat, some (not too much) grease, and good gravy (its just Brown and Water).
Open til 4am or so, it will be there for you when the booze isn't.

Steve and I both sat down to our own Guinness Steak and Mushroom pies (with green peppercorn and horseradish gravy). Satisfying. It's got bust-yer-nut umami. For those of you are unfamiliar with the concept of umami, learn it and love it - I will use it often.

We also split a nice pork and sage roll. Greasy, but good.

Super easy location - 1st and 1st, right by 2nd ave F stop. If you are there on a Thursday, between 10-12, duck around the corner to East Village Radio and give a "what's up" to Still Life spinning the stanky shit.

Info: 68 EAST 1ST STREET, Open late, Beer and Wine

Grubby: Crif Dogs

Dudes...deep fried dogs. All haters that say it's too pricey or too busy, can just go on "living" their healthy, long lives. What took me so long to get to this place? It took being hungover most of the day thanks to shitty whiskey and shitty beer with Will - thanks dude!

I enjoyed a Spicy Redneck: Bacon-wrapped, deep-fried Crif dog, topped with chili, jalapenos and slaw. Honestly, could barely taste the toppings. This shit is all about the crunchy fry! The dog itself, nothing special, but when you pop through that crispy fry crust, you get a "shpritz" of all that deep-fried juice. Crispy bacon trumps all here.



Didn't quite fill me up, so I will always order two from now on(not the Redneck though). Kinda pricey for dogs ($4.75) but shit, its open late and is BYOB. I guarantee the words "deep-fried hot dogs" will be an irresistible siren call some night soon.

I was apparently so bewildered after my meal that I nearly killed myself walking into traffic - one of those red turning to green moments where you are halfway through the street.

Anyone know what's up with the speakeasy with an entrance inside the phone booth in Crif Dogs? If so, what's the deal?

Info: 113 St. Marks Place; Open til 4 on Fri and Sat, 2 otherwise; BYOB