I moved to Sunset Park Brooklyn eight months ago as a more or less fluent speaker of Spanish. The draw of the Spanish language is one of the reasons that I like living in this part of town, but feeling brave enough to go to the street food vendors was something I had a hard time with. Where do you begin when all you can see while walking by is a collection of sauces and iced drinks? There is obviously no menu and, even as a Spanish speaker, I did not know where to begin.

A few days ago I finally mustered up the courage to give it a try.  On the corner of 47th Street and 5th Avenue, just outside the video store, is a lady who sells a small, but great selection of goodies. She always seems to be gossiping with a crowd of people, so when she was on her own the other day I seized the opportunity. Her son, the proud little assistant, helped his mom pour sauces and drinks while I chatted her up about the array of foods before me. more…