Last night I was in the city for an event and afterwards my friend and I headed to our favorite cheap eats spot - 53rd and 6th. The line was a bit shorter than in outings past, but that accounted for a number of factors - it was before 9:00 PM, it was a Monday night, etc.
We paid our $6 per platter of mixed lamb and chicken, rice, "salad," and pita bread with the famous white sauce and hot sauce on the side since we were taking it to go, or rather, walking it around the block.
As we drank beers from paper bags and dug into our platters, I felt mine tasted a little off. There was something missing. My girlfriend said the meat wasn't spiced as well, and she had a point. Normally I add the white sauce to mine because it tastes good, not because the dish desperately needs it. Last night it needed it. The portion was also skimpier - the quantity of meat was fine, but there seemed to be much less rice, the salad was just lettuce no tomatoes (which is fine because tomatoes aren't in season). I can almost never finish a platter because there is so much food, but last night I tore through it.
Looking at this meal, I think the economy is affecting my dear, dear street meat. Some joy has been lost from my $6 platter.
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