I love New York City -- for many reasons. One of the greatest reasons (arguably) is the fact that you can buy a buttered roll (especially in the morning) almost anywhere. Delis, coffee shops, street cart vendors, donut shops, you name it -- they all offer the ubiquitous buttered roll quickly and cheaply.
I love buttered rolls. Just thought I'd mention that.
I know it sounds simplistic but a bakery fresh kaiser roll slathered in a thick layer of butter is just about the greatest thing I can think of on a rushed walk to work.
I walk 4 blocks down 14th St. in Manhattan every work day. For those not familiar, there are a LOT of the aforementioned roll vendors on 14th street. I think that, now, I've sampled all of them and can comfortably say that they are offering the exact same roll experience.
What's the differentiator then? Price! But the price differences are simply not that dramatic (with one exception). Almost all the rolls cost 75 cents. 75 cents! Even if I have two, when is the last time you scored breakfast for $1.50?! Gotta love it.
I have to give a shout out though to the street cart vendor at 7th Ave. and 14th St. That dude charges 65 cents. He's got the competition beat on price. Now if he could advertise it, he could potentially corner the 14th street buttered roll market. Perhaps this blog post will help. Perhaps not.
One note for the buttered roll hall of shame. The vendor at the Hoboken train station in New Jersey (which is 15 minutes earlier in my commute) charges $1.25 for his buttered roll. The roll itself is solid but not special. Is it worth $.50 more? Hell no. But patience is critical. If you're hungry in Hoboken, you may have to break down and splurge.
08/03: The Buttered Roll King of 14th Street
I love New York City -- for many reasons. One of the greatest reasons (arguably) is the fact that you can buy a buttered roll (especially in the morning) almost anywhere. Delis, coffee shops, street cart vendors, donut shops, you name it -- they all offer the ubiquitous buttered roll quickly and cheaply.
I love buttered rolls. Just thought I'd mention that.
I know it sounds simplistic but a bakery fresh kaiser roll slathered in a thick layer of butter is just about the greatest thing I can think of on a rushed walk to work.
I walk 4 blocks down 14th St. in Manhattan every work day. For those not familiar, there are a LOT of the aforementioned roll vendors on 14th street. I think that, now, I've sampled all of them and can comfortably say that they are offering the exact same roll experience.
What's the differentiator then? Price! But the price differences are simply not that dramatic (with one exception). Almost all the rolls cost 75 cents. 75 cents! Even if I have two, when is the last time you scored breakfast for $1.50?! Gotta love it.
I have to give a shout out though to the street cart vendor at 7th Ave. and 14th St. That dude charges 65 cents. He's got the competition beat on price. Now if he could advertise it, he could potentially corner the 14th street buttered roll market. Perhaps this blog post will help. Perhaps not.
One note for the buttered roll hall of shame. The vendor at the Hoboken train station in New Jersey (which is 15 minutes earlier in my commute) charges $1.25 for his buttered roll. The roll itself is solid but not special. Is it worth $.50 more? Hell no. But patience is critical. If you're hungry in Hoboken, you may have to break down and splurge.
[Jeff]