I have pretty low standards for late-night feasting. I owe this to growing up in New Hampshire and having very little access to 24-hour diners. The closest sort is a 35-minute drive away from the house I grew up in — and it’s a truck stop. If you find yourself hungry, dirty, and in need of a rest while driving on I-89 near Lebanon, NH, it’s worth stopping in for some eggs and a shower. Otherwise, it’s not really worth going to.
When I went to college, I took full advantage of what the closest city, Kingston, NY, had to offer. My friends and I would frequent Wendy’s and Michael’s Diner a handful of times per month, especially during our Senior Projects, when I tried to eat my stress away. It didn’t matter that the food at Michael’s was sub-par (Wendy’s, on the other hand…) So, when a new 24-hour Mexican restaurant/diner, named Los Tres Potrillos, opened up on 4th Ave. and 39th St. I thought I found my new late-night hangout.
Despite not really caring about the quality of the food I eat at 2 in the morning (anything warm is usually better than chips and Gatorade from a gas station), I cannot fully express my displeasure of this new restaurant. The el pastor was bad, the burger came meatless (they actually forgot to put the patty on the bun), the enchiladas were nothing special, and everything was over-priced. When the best thing about a restaurant is the rotating Jell-O display in the back, there’s a problem. Frankly, I cannot think of a situation where I will go back there.
Later that evening, I was able to satisfy my late-night hunger and get the disappointment of Los Tres Potrillos out of my mouth by getting donuts from Sunset Park Diner and Donuts and a taco and ribs from the taco truck on 36th St. and 4th Ave. At 2 a.m. (or any other time) nothing really beats getting a $7 platter of beef ribs covered in Chimichurri sauce, fried plantains, and a salad and a $1.25 taco — especially when it’s followed by a delivery of a dozen donuts for less than $5 an hour later. This has been my ritual the last few Saturdays, but I’m leaving for N.H. tomorrow for the holidays. I better load up tonight.
