The Casbah
Street meat, made with love (and great fish)
Depending on the wind direction, the mysterious aroma, suggestive of faraway lands and exotic culinary delights, calls to you from about a block away. Then the long, snaky line guides you in. Huzzah! You've found it: The Casbah food truck.
If you've read this far, you're probably already a fan of NYC "street meat," and you're wondering what sets this particular meals-on-wheels dispenser apart. (Fair question: some of the city's tin-clad mini-eateries are depressingly generic, and others shamelessly load up the rice, then skimp on the meat.) The Casbah's most popular meats, chicken and gyro, are tasty if not life-changing, and the portions are ample. For me, the Casbah's first point of difference is love. Call me corny, but I simply will not buy food that isn't prepared with love, or at least a smile, and the folks at the Casbah always greet me warmly and find time to trade jokes, even when they're mobbed at the lunch rush.
What really keeps me coming back, though, is the salad. I always ask for extra greens, extra onions and less rice, and they happily oblige, adding such rarely found streetside items as sliced pickles and garbanzo beans. The other reason for my slavish loyalty is the fish. The fish? That's right, I said fish! The Casbah serves a juicy yet crunchy fried tilapia filet that melts and crackles in your mouth, and it's an absolute bargain. (For a little extra you can go combo on any dish; with fish, I usually add some falafel.)
See you in line! (Don't worry, it moves fast.)
