Street Pretzels & Nuts
"Street carts sell hot soft pretzels (large, salty, chewy) with mustard, and roasted nuts (honey-roasted peanuts, cashews, almonds) roasted on-site in rotating drums. The smell of roasting nuts is the smell of NYC winter. They're cheap ($2-5), fast, and eaten while walking to the subway or between errands. The pretzels are dense and require serious jaw work."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Nostalgic, warming
Duration
5 minutes
Best For
Snacking
The Backstory
Soft pretzels arrived with German immigrants in the 1800s. Street cart culture exploded in the early 1900s as immigrants found entrepreneurial opportunities. The iconic metal carts became regulated by the city. Roasted nuts were added in the mid-1900s as vendors diversified. The smell of roasting nuts is now synonymous with NYC street corners.
Local Secret
"Pretzels are best with yellow mustard—no other condiments. They're dense and filling, essentially a meal. Honey-roasted peanuts are the most popular nut flavor. Buy them in paper bags and eat them hot. Carts cluster near subway stations and office buildings during lunch. Winter is peak pretzel and nut season."