5/20/2014
By Ivan Pereira
Each of the Big Apple’s boroughs now has its own set of bragging rights when it comes to take-out food.
GrubHub and Seamless shared with amNewYork the most common food orders that are specific to the boroughs.
For example, empanadas are more commonly ordered in Manhattan than in the rest of the city by more than 110%. In Queens, egg sandwiches are 240% more commonly ordered from restaurants.
“A lot of it may be to do with the restaurants that are available,” said Abby Hunt, a spokeswoman for GrubHub and Seamless. “Each neighborhood is its own culture.”
In Brooklyn, smoothies lead the pack of menu items since they are ordered 140% more often there than the rest of the city, while in the Bronx, tostadas are nearly 630% more commonly ordered than in the rest of the Big Apple.
The site’s users order rice balls in Staten Island at 22 times the pace of other places in New York.
Stephanie Arnold, editor of the food blog NYCtastes, said social media and the increased use of delivery sites have helped New Yorkers diversify their cuisine choices.
“Manhattan was looked to as the food part of the city, but over the last couple of years, with these new food sites and food shows, people are exploring other boroughs, which I think is great,” she said.
GrubHub and Seamless also provided amNewYork with the most-ordered food in the city from last May to this year and salad was the top choice in Manhattan and Brooklyn while burgers reigned supreme in Queens and the Bronx and pizza topped Staten Island orders.
“A lot of people order through us for lunch,” Hunt said. “If a lot of people work in downtown Manhattan or Brooklyn they may just be ordering salads through lunch for a quick meal.”
Manhattan
1. Empanada – more than 110% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
2. Pad Thai – nearly 65% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
3. Dumplings – more than 50% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
4. Spring rolls – nearly 42% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
5. Smoothie – nearly 36% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
6. Latte – more than 27% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
7. Curry – nearly 24% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
8. Fried rice – more than 20% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
9. Edamame – more than 17% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
10. Sesame chicken – more than 17% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
Brooklyn
1. Smoothie – more than 140% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
2. Burrito – nearly 130% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
3. Teriyaki – nearly 98% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
4. Spring rolls – nearly 91% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
5. Samosa – more than 88% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
6. Nachos – more than 87% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
7. Ice cream – more than 87% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
8. Chips – nearly 80% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
9. Taco – nearly 78% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
10. Curry – more than 76% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
Queens
1. Egg Sandwich – nearly 240% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
2. Gyro – more than 160% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
3. Chili – more than 160% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
4. Omelet – nearly 140% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
5. Latte – more than 130% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
6. Bagel – nearly 98% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
7. Empanada – nearly 95% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
8. Waffle – more than 93% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
9. Smoothie – nearly 91% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
10. Burger – more than 66% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
Bronx
1. Tostada – nearly 630% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
2. Flan – nearly 420% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
3. Plantain – nearly 390% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
4. Fried chicken – more than 270% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
5. Quesadilla – more than 220% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
6. Enchilada – more than 200% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
7. Taco – more than 190% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
8. Guacamole – nearly 170% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
9. Nachos – more than 160% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
10. Calzone – more than 150% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
Staten Island
1. Rice Ball – more than 2200% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
2. Zeppole – more than 500% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
3. Calzone – nearly 370% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
4. Parmigiana – nearly 360% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
5. Meatballs – more than 320% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
6. Fried calamari – nearly 290% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
7. Garlic knots – nearly 220% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
8. Chicken with broccoli – more than 190% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
9. Mac and cheese – more than 170% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
10. Pizza – more than 160% more commonly ordered than in the rest of NYC
