Gassed Up Gastronomy: The Carts And Trucks By Atlantic Terminal

It was lunchtime and I was on the move.

I was exiting the Atlantic Avenue station by the Barclays Center and I wanted something different. There they were: the trucks and carts outside of the LIRR entrance on that little piece of real estate outside Atlantic Terminal,  abutting Flatbush Avenue Extension, Ashland Place, and Hanson Place.

Danny’s Chicken Wings idled to the right of Cesar’s Empenadas. Across from them, a bright red halal cart drew passersby. Their menus were prominently displayed, offering protein-laden standbys at prices below what you’ll usually find at a brick and mortar restaurant.  For each cart, I resolved to try the most popular thing on the menu.

“The best sellers are chicken burrito and chicken and cheese empanada”, said Juan Pablo of Cesar’s Empanadas. He said that the truck had been in business for about five years, and that they have another in Queens.

On Juan Pablo’s advice, I started with the chicken and cheese empanada ($3) at Cesar’s Empanada’s. Within seconds, I was greeted by a thick, slightly crunchy, vaguely spicy, somewhat creamy and very filling empanada.

Like a golfer hitting a hole-in-one, I’d found exactly what I’d been looking for.  This was a cheap, filling, tasty and perfectly mobile meal. I will be back for more. However, on this particular afternoon, I was still hungry and I wanted to see what else awaited me.

I sauntered over to Danny’s Chicken Wings. An employee named Cesar told me that the top seller was the five piece chicken wings ($6), though he mentioned that the rotisserie chicken platter ($8) was actually his favorite item on the menu. I went with the wings.

After a few minutes, I was handed a hefty portion of deep fried chicken wings and a bevy of sauces. The wings were large and thickly breaded. On first bite, I was met with the crunchy, juicy, greasy experience I’d hoped for. The mostly standard sauces ranged from hot sauce to ketchup, but there was a green sauce which was packed with heat and flavor which left me wanting more.

These are better wings than you’d expect, and the breading’s seasoning is very good, but they weren’t as unique as the standout empanada I’d just devoured.

Had I finished the wings, I’d have been full (and I was very tempted to finish them.) I assume anyone would be. However, there was still a halal cart to try.

I ambled over to the rectangular, cherry-hued cart where I met Amal. He works at the cart and told me that the chicken with rice ($6) was the best seller. I ponied up and within a few minutes, I had a styrofoam box befitting any cart in Midtown.

Inside, there was a great mound of chopped and seasoned chicken, smothered in white sauce, and resting atop rice. Besides the chicken and rice were a few pieces of chopped tomatoes, some shreds of iceberg lettuce.

The chicken and rice provided the most bang for my buck, but this was merely halal cart food as  you’d expect it. The heavily seasoned chicken and rice were a bit too salty for my taste, and while it was certainly good, I honestly preferred the empanadas and chicken wings.

My total outlay for this sidewalk feast was about $15, and I was left literally holding the bag… containing a mound of leftovers that would surely be dinner. These mobile options provided a welcome respite from the hum and drum of storefronts, but it was the empanadas at Cesar’s that stole my heart (and continued my rode to atherosclerosis.)

Address: One Hanson Place
Try: The chicken and cheese empanada at Cesar’s Empanadas.
Avoid: There’s nothing to avoid, but I’d stick to Cesar’s and Danny’s.
Kids: The chicken wings are perfect for kids.
CASH ONLY