It took me 10 years of living in NYC to buy a New York pretzel.

Seriously, this is the first pretzel I EVER bought from a street vendor!  Can I call myself a real New Yorker now? It was an exciting milestone. I couldn’t contain my glee. I even got a thumbs up from the guy who sold it to me.

These massive hunks of carbs are icons of New York street food. They are traditionally served with mustard and salt. 

This was the first street pretzel I ever bought…and the last. The whole time I was eating it I couldn’t help but wonder, why would I ever eat a pretzel and mustard when I could eat a bagel and schmear instead? And why don’t they sell those are street carts across from Central Park?

Are you a fan of the NYC pretzel? I suppose if you have to eat street food, they are much less risky than a hot dog or street meat. New Yorkers never buy any of these snacks unless their entertaining out of town visitors. The one street vendor we can’t resist are the Nuts4Nuts carts- those hot sugar covered almonds, peanuts, or coconut that make our street corners smell heavenly for a change. 

All photos by Peter DeGiglio