Trip Report
Mohammed Bennani
Smorgasburg Brooklyn
Not only was this trip an hour away from my home driving, but it was painful for my gas tank and pockets. However, I don’t regret it one bit. I put in smorgasburg on my google maps app and I see reviews with beautiful pictures of the different foods and environment. As a food lover, I quickly made the decision of having to go.
I parked my car and walked down the colorful park just following the people and the smell. The smell of food lead me to a huge open area where there was at least 50-100 food vendors with an amazing view of the NYS skyline. It was extremely overwhelming. The amount of people and Food vendors where all very confusing to me. This was my first time here and my second time in the whole Brooklyn borough. I had more logistic questions pop up in my head rather than food questions. “Where did they all come from?” “Who organizes this?” Are these just food vendors or do they have restaurants as well?” I was walking around sniffing the amazing smells trying to see which one I should try first. However, not all the smells were pleasant. The smell of days old oil can spread far and wide and smack you across the face. There were many different foods that I have never heard of. Such as, “Teriyaki Balls”. First of all, who came up with that name? I walked in and seen several large crowds that were not even for the food lines. It was for the ATM.
There was one thing that I was excited for. The Ramen Burgers. A ramen noodle bun with meat inside like a regular hamburger. I was jumping on the inside to try this. I felt like a little boy. And I was thinking that most of the people here feel the same too when they tried something new. It was like a concert that is packed. You have an abundance of people eating and for some reason you feel connected to them. The same reason we’re both here eating “teriyaki balls” is the same reason you can go up to any stranger in Smorgasburg and just feel like you’re connected. It may sound dumb and fruity but it’s a feeling that can only be experienced if you actually come here. Its literally crazy. And that’s how this place is. Crazy. Crazy people, crazy amount of people, crazy food, and crazy prices! However, you don’t pay attention to the price. at least I didn’t. I knew that this stuff wasn’t anywhere else, so it was ok for me in the moment to just worry on my taste buds and not my pockets.
Ever seen a big huge piece of year old cheese be melted than sliced perfectly with the straightest edge? No, I only seen that in advertisements. Have you seen eggs joined together on a stick like a kebab? It’s ridiculous. Follow the smell you like and you won’t be disappointed. If you want something cold or any desert just go where you don’t see wild smoke coming up into the air. That means that something isn’t cooking. I observed that everyone who came here came in groups with friends or family. And being here for a while, I came to the conclusion that food has a big impact on our social lives. It brings us together. For people who love experiencing new foods, this was heaven for them.
As unhealthy as most of the food is here, it doesn’t hurt your stomach until a day after. Because when you’re in Smorgasburg, there are so many different foods to try, so you end up mixing salty food with sweet or dairy foods. Vice versa and more. The stomach can’t handle that. Well at least mine cant. So, as you’re walking down and you see some French fries that catch your eye, you pay the ridiculous $10 for a small box of fries. Then you walk down even more and see some waffles that are juicy and golden, so you go ahead and pay another $12 for a medium sized waffle. Then you walk down just a little more and find a stand that sells lobster in a hot dog bun that is so aesthetic and appealing you have no choice but to pay $15 for the small “snack.” See how it goes? No matter the emotional state you’re in, or physical state, food always brings a feeling of comfort. Leaving the place going back home, I couldn’t help but keep licking my lips because the aftertaste of the ramen burger was really satisfying. So there I am licking my lips every 5 min on an hour long trip back home.
I thought it was really cool how you took the time to go to Smorgasburg despite the distance. I would do the same when I went to this event summers ago, but only in train and it was hot as hellfire. In all honesty, these vendors sometimes do have establishments of their own, but some of these vendors are living straight off the profits of the event, a lot of them have social media that will tell you more about them. I think what I liked the most about your report was how you included of “following a smell.” Which is what I wish I did when it came to choosing which food vendors I wanted to eat at. I have yet to eat a ramen burger, which is a real cult favorite of the whole Smorgasburg culture. I was left jealous when reading your piece. You should really go again just for the fun of it, the food is so worthwhile to me.
Mohammed,
I love that you found a way to make your trip to Smorgasburg come alive for the reader. You are able to convey the excitement and good feeling of the event – and of course, to make your reader hungry for some of the things you tasted there. I was surprised that you didn’t include any pictures. Don’t you think that that would have added to your report?
JS