Endless Summer Taco Truck: Stepping Up Its Game

I think the Endless Summer taco truck has really been stepping up its game lately. In the past, their tacos have been dry and flavorless.

Recently, the tacos have been juicy and delicious. The photo above is of a pork taco (r) and beef (l). I think the pork might be my favorite, but seriously, the beef taco is damn fine too. $2.50 for a fresh taco is a solid price point, and the last round I had featured an exciting new addition – some sort of creamy avocado based sauce on top! Basically, these are some of the best tacos I’ve had in New York, second only to Pinche in Soho.

People are going crazy these days for tacos and food from trucks. In Williamsburg, some people would pay good money for a boot leather taco if it was after last call and Anna Maria’s was closed. I hope that the tacos from Endless Summer will continue to be much better than they have to be.

Endless Summer (corner of North Sixth and Bedford Ave.)[bxA]

Bruni's Replacement Announced!

Early this afternoon, big, thick plumes of black smoke arose from the top of the NYT buildling. Could it be? Had the sage council of the dining section decided upon a replacement for Frank Bruni? Oh yes. Ladies and gentleman, meet Sam Sifton, your new Food Critic for The New York Times:
He likes Japanese curry, hip-hop, and sesame noodles. He was a New York City School teacher, a food critic for the New York Press and a culture editor for the the Times. He was also the pinch hitter for the NYT food section in the months between William Grime's departure and the beginning of Bruni's tenure back in 2004. Also, his Mom is Vice President of FSG.

And here he is, in two separate photos. These photos were literally everywhere on the food blogs this morning. My guess is that now history may remember Frank Bruni as the last anonymous food critic for a major newspaper. But we still have two weeks to go with Big Boi Bruni, and a few weeks after that until The Siftonator files for the first times. Eat up Sam! We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Frank Bruni Takes a Star Away From Union Square Cafe

Today Frank Bruni filed his third to last review for the Times, with a two-star for Union Square Café. The first Danny Meyer restaurant, USC is also one of his most beloved, and today it lost a star from the three star rating it was awarded by William Grimes back in 1999. It sounds like Bruni really wanted to keep the star count at three, but that amongst the excellent meals he enjoyed at USC, there were indeed a few mediocre ones. So, two stars it is. The review is, however, a treat, and he really pays props to Danny Meyer and his noble career-long efforts to make sure his customers get what they want.

So, with one review down and two to go, the question is- which restaurants will Bruni choose for his last two reviews? I’m calling it now: next week, we’ll get a three-star of Marea. The week after that,I think we’re going to get that fabled, mythical, four-star review bestowed upon Eleven Madison Park. We know he’s been eating at EMP lately, and we know he loves it. Also, what better way to restore dignity to the Danny Meyer empire than to give the restaurateur’s classy, brassy, youngest child the respect it finally deserves? The message upon leaving would be “sure, Union Square Café is great, but times have changed and – BAMN! – Eleven Madison Park is the new best restaurant in New York. The king has left the building.”

Look! A Food Truck: Pizza Truck NYC

I saw this truck in Union Square in the exact spot where the mobile outfit of East Village classic pizzeria Vinny Vincenz regularly parks its pizza truck. This new truck bears more than a striking resemblance to the old one. My sources reveal that this is actually the new Vinny Vincenz truck. So, that's that.

My sources also reveal that while the pies are not baked fresh in the truck, the pre-made crusts (in the bag, above) are in fact baked just a few short blocks away at the brick and mortar location, and then topped and freshened up in the truck its self. I didn't try a slice, but I think it's probably a safe bet - I can't think of a more archtypal "solid NY slice" than the ones that Vinny Vincenz churns out, and the mobile operation sounds legit.

A New Photo of Bruni!

Finally, a new photo of Frank Bruni surfaced today, in anticipation of the release of Born Round. Here's what he looks like:
And, as a bonus, here is what he looked when he reviewed Locanda Verde a few weeks ago: