6. Worth the Trip: The Sometimes Guy’s Jerk Sandwich cart

133rd Street and Lenox Avenue

"I call this man the Sometimes Guy because sometimes he’s inspired and he cooks and—sometimes—he doesn’t show up at all. He makes a great jerk sandwich. He usually sets up shop outside of Grace Gospel church, on 133rd and Lenox. On Sundays in Harlem, you have to see a Gospel choir and then try to catch the Sometimes Guy. He’s also two blocks south of the Schomburg Center, an incredible research institute where you can learn everything about Harlem’s history, from Langston Hughes to James Baldwin."

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Photo: Elissa Wiehn

7. The Halal Food Cart at 125th and Lenox

Lenox Avenue, at 125th Street

"Food trucks are everywhere now, but what’s cool in Harlem is that you have tons of food carts from local residents; food carts are authentic, food trucks are trends. The Middle Eastern food carts here have survived all that. At night, on 125th and Lenox, there’s one cart where the same guy has been making Halal food for 30 years and it’s wonderful."

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Photo:

8. Mt. Morris Park Historic District Market

Marcus Garvey Park North, at 124th Street and 5th Avenue; harvesthomefm.org

"You have to go over to farmer’s market on the weekend and meet the Peach Man. He drives from West Virginia all the way to New York weekly to bring peaches to Harlem. They are some of the best I’ve ever tasted."

Paula Froke

Photo: Elissa Wiehn

9. El Aguila Taqueria

137 East 116th Street, at Lexington, 212-410-2450

"Eastern Harlem has a big Mexican and Latin community and you can get a great taco for $2.50. El Aguila’s are amazing and they cook them right in front of you. It’s open 24 hours and it’s always filled."

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