Scene by Laurie

When New York restaurants take to the streets, you know it’s going to be good.

Over the last several years, New York street food has evolved into quite the gourmet culinary experience with new and diverse food trucks popping up around Manhattan and the burroughs, raising the bar in street cuisine. This year alone brought new entrants with specialties including lobster rolls, organic ice cream, artisanal grilled cheese, uniquely flavored slushes, specialty cupcakes and Korean BBQ.

And last weekend they all vied for bragging rights as the city’s best street vendor at the 7th Annual Vendy Awards. Held on Governors Island, this year drew the event’s largest crowds, eager to taste and cast their votes. The most coveted award, the Vendy Cup, is decided by a panel of experts. The remaining five categories are awarded by popular vote.

For the ultimate in NYC sidewalk dining, make your way to the 2011 Vendy Award winners:

Vendy Cup
Top honors went to Solber Pupusas for their traditional Salvadoran corn patties stuffed with meat, cheese and veggies. Owners Reina and Rafael have been vending for 12 years and were a Vendy Finalist in 2008. You can find their Central American and Caribbean specialties around Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Flea, Smorgasburg and Red Hook ball fields and get updates on twitter: @solberpupusas

People’s Taste Award
Popular vote went to Souvlaki GR, moving up in status from 2010 Rookie of the Year for their killer souvlaki. Quite a recommendation from New Yorkers as their truck has been on the road for a mere 400 days. To try their traditional Greek pork pita souvlaki with tyro kefteri (spicy feta & dill) and greek fries find their location on twitter: @souvlakitruck

Rookie of the Year
Also a new entrant to the competitive NYC street food scene is Korilla BBQ, this year’s Rookie of the Year winner for their juicy Korean BBQ and top notch kimchi. For unique BBQ, try Korilla’s Ribeye of the Tiger, Porkinator, Wonderbird or Tofuture specialties. Find their location on twitter: @KorillaBBQ

Best Dessert
There are no shortage of dessert options on New York’s streets and this year saw quite a number of new entrants in the all important confection category. The 2011 Best Dessert Vendy went to newbie Wooly’s Ice, who beat out some tough competitors with their unique twist on ice cream. Their delicious, refreshing and healthy Taiwanese and Hawaiian inspired ice is exquisitely flavored and shaved super thin and fluffy.
Find them in front of 79 Elizabeth Street and on twitter: @WoolysIce

Best of New Jersey
It just wouldn’t be complete if the Vendy’s didn’t recognize the 6th burrough and the growing food truck trend across the river in Hoboken. Winner of the first ever Best of New Jersey Vendy award went to the Taco Truck for their all-natural, authentic Mexican street food, most notably their tasty tacos al pastor and corn on the cob. They roam around Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark, follow them at @TheTacoTruck

flickr: kthread