Madison Square Eats is back for this season’s fifth annual event that will take place Sept. 21 to Oct. 19, so go ahead and grab an outdoor meal or snack from a variety of promising vendors while you can. On the west side of Madison Square Park in Worth Square, more than 25 vendors create a perimeter around the flower-themed eating area. Poppy tablecloths and umbrellas create an unexpected ambiance, which distinguishes the event from most eating areas on the street.
Rachel Van Dolsen, a public relations representative for UrbanSpace, the company that organized the event, said the company aims to showcase world-class art, music and shopping to enhance the over-all experience of the event’s visitors and neighbors.
“[UrbanSpace] enriches the neighborhood by deepening the variety of their cuisine options,” Van Dolsen said.
After several months of planning, the event has expanded with even more vendors than past years. This year’s new additions include Broken English and Baby Got Back Ribs.
“We look for vendors that have delicious, stand-alone products,” Van Dolsen said. “Whether they’ve been around for years or months, it’s all about quality. We also try to feature local and organic cuisine whenever possible.”
UrbanSpace likes to keep a variety of choices to allow for their broad range of customers.
“If you love to eat and spend time outdoors, we think you’ll enjoy our market,” she said.
From deliciously sweet cannoli for $2 to vegetable pies for $3, Madison Square Eats offers a plethora of affordable snacks. For a heartier meal, vendors sell varieties such as ribs, lobster, burritos and waffles. Some names will be sure to sound familiar: typical street carts like Calexico, Mimi & Coco and Wafels & Dinges take up a more permanent residency at the event.
“I’m only somewhat familiar with it in the sense that I know what it is and what it’s about but haven’t personally experienced it yet,” said Stern Sophomore Greg Scalera. “I’d like to go at least once since I really love trying all types of foods and finding cheap eats in the city.”
Many of the food choices are simple and easily accessible elsewhere; it brings people together to a place where nothing matters except which food item to choose. The event leaves the visitors wanting to come back to try everything they were too full to try the first time.
Julianne Kleitsch is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].
