13 Things You Need to Eat at the Bronx Night Market to Avoid Major Food FOMO

As much as we love Smorgasburg, not all of us can make the trek to its Brooklyn and Manhattan outposts that often. But there’s another food mecca that needs to be on your radar—a “global food celebration,” in fact—just a train ride away.

The Bronx Night Market features more than 50 vendors with a happy (and super affordable) blend of food, drinks, music and all the Bronx culture vibes. Now in its second year, the market recently went from a monthly event to an all-out summer block party every Saturday (thanks to a Facebook poll overwhelmingly in favor of it), now through October. It’s all about spotlighting the borough’s incredible offerings, which means more than half of the vendors are local. Oh, and did we mention there’s no entry fee? From chicken-and-waffle sandwiches to fried ice cream, here are 13 vendors that’ll have you coming back every weekend.

Let’s face it, chicken and waffles are a way of life. So combining the two in sandwich form is clearly a match made in food heaven. The Fried Kitchen—a Bronx-based vendor—uses locally sourced ingredients to create its signature dish. Choose from the classic grilled cheese chicken waffle, the fully loaded potato waffle sandwich and the buffalo chicken waffle. (Or hey, one of each.)

If you’re ready for a fusion of cultures, look no further than Memphis Seoul. The Brooklyn-based restaurant (now opening a second location in the borough) brings together classic soul food and Korean favorites. (Think Korean barbecue meatloaf sliders or pulled pork on a steamed bao bun.) 

Trust us, this is not your average sandwich. Caribbean Street Eats is known for its bake and shark, a traditional Trinidadian dish of fried seasoned shark piled onto a puffed fry bread and loaded with toppings and sauces. If you’re feeling adventurous, it’s a must-try (and we bet you’ll be surprised how much you enjoy it).

There’s no need to search for the nearest coastline to have a seafood feast. LoLo’s Seafood Shack’s menu is inspired by such beachy locales as the Caribbean and Cape Cod. From its original johnnycake sandwiches to shrimp queso nachos, the Harlem-based restaurant is the next best thing to booking an island vacay.

If you’re not familiar with the jibarito—fried plantain sandwich—you should be. The namesake Puerto Rican sandwiches at Jibarito Shack feature combos inspired by other NYC staples, from chopped cheese to a twist on Dominican breakfast. But it’s the signature Jibarito Sandwich—a juicy burger with plantains as the bun—that draws crowds. There are even vegan and gluten-free options so everyone can get a piece of the crispy goodness.

OK, it’s not all deep-fried this and Oreo-covered that. The South Bronx’s very own juice bar Freshly Made features plenty of healthy options. The constantly changing juice blends highlight Bronx areas with concoctions like the Mott Haven Mudslide (carrot, kale and orange) and Spicy Bay Plaza (ginger, green apple and orange), to name a few. Each juice is packed with fresh fruits and vegetables and costs only $8 (a steal compared to the $12-plus bottles you see in Manhattan). Aside from juices, you can stay hydrated with ginger shots, watermelon on a stick and refreshing frozen fruit pops.

Love ice cream? Sam’s Fried Ice Cream takes the quintessential summer treat to a whole new level (no cone or spoon required). Choose from flavors like green tea and cookies 'n' cream, add a crispy crust and toppings, and you’ll never look at a scoop the same way ever again.