Food Trucks & Gyms Offer Freebies For Hurricane Sandy Victims

As New York City struggles to regain its footing after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, food trucks and gyms are doing their part in the relief effort. Until 4 pm today, several food trucks will be serving (free) hot meals to anyone and everyone they can accommodate. For those of us living in lower Manhattan, the PB&Js and canned soup have left us yearning for a hearty, hot meal. Stop by one of the following locations to pick yours up:

8th Avenue and 19th St:
Andy’s Italian Ice
Milk Truck
Frites n’ Meats

Washington Square:
Big D’s Grub
Coolhaus

Rockaways- Beach 50th and Beach Channel Drive:
Cupcake Crew
Eddie’s Pizza

Astor Place:
Rickshaw Dumplings
Toum
Wafles and Dinges

Tompkins Square Park:
Sweetery
Mexico Blvd

14th & 3rd Ave:Wafles and Dinges

City Hall Park:
Wafles and Dinges

In addition, New York Sports Club is opening their doors to the public and offering the use of their showers, outlets, and exercise facilities free of charge until November 14th. They have locations around the city. Check their website for open locations.

I am proud that in the midst of mind-boggling bus lines, crowded subway system, and general uneasiness, there has been a real sense of community among New Yorkers. My prayers go out to all of those who lost their lives, homes, livelihood in this unprecedented storm. Stay safe and be sure to pick up a hot meal from one of these gracious food trucks and blow off a little steam at a New York Sports Club!

(Sorta) Free Ice Cream Sandwiches!

If you've never tried a CoolHaus ice cream sandwich before, now is the time. These are no ordinary ice cream sandwiches. Each is composed of a large helping of house made gourmet ice cream sandwiched between two soft cookies. You pick your ice cream flavor and type of cookie. With choices like  Potato Chip and Butterscotch cookies and cherry cheesecake ice cream, the possibilities are endless. Usually these delicacies cost $6 a pop but through this Friday, they're offering them on a "pay as you wish" basis at their cart in Central Park. I stopped by today and tried their salted caramel between two dark dark chocolate cookies....and paid a dime. Seriously! I planned on taking a picture before devouring it, but my excitement overwhelmed me and I forgot, so here's one I got from SeriousEats.com . So delicious and well-worth the trip!

The cart is located at Central Park West and 80th St from 12 to 6 pm. Be sure not to miss it!