comfort food

54 Deeply Delicious, Truly Comforting Things We All Need to Eat

If you live in New York, you likely woke up this morning — or stayed up all night — feeling, at best, a troubling flood of anxiety, or, at worst, pure dismay and confusion. Grub will leave discussion of last night’s election results to people better suited to the task. In light of it all, though, it’s safe to assume everyone deserves to eat (and, probably drink) something really delicious today. And on that topic, we have some thoughts:

These dan dan noodles from Hao Noodle and Tea by Madam Zhu’s Kitchen.

Photo: Jed Egan/Jed Egan

The Platonic ideal of pastrami on rye at Katz’s on the Lower East Side.

Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images

The best margarita in New York at Mayahuel in the East Village.

Photo: Paul Wagtouicz

A transcendent ham-and-cheese baguette from Arcade Bakery in Tribeca.

Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

Anything you want at Russ & Daughters on the Lower East Side.

Photo: Konstantin Sergeyev

Next-level fried chicken at the Commodore in Williamsburg.

Photo: Melissa Hom

These chicharrónes tacos from Tehuitzingo Mexican Deli in Hell’s Kitchen.

Photo: Melissa Hom

And al pastor tacos from Empellón al Pastor in the East Village.

Photo: Melissa Hom

This world-class ramen from Nakamura on the Lower East Side.

Photo: Melissa Hom

The always-satisfying veggie burger at Superiority Burger in the East Village.

Photo: Konstantin Sergeyev

Seriously excellent croissants from Bien Cuit in Boerum Hill.

Photo: Melissa Hom

An egg-and-cheese on a roll from the nearest bodega.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Delicate burrata pasta from Leuca in Williamsburg.

Photo: Liz Clayman

Oak-smoked barbecue from BrisketTown in Williamsburg.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Nachos and taco salad at El Cortez in Bushwick.

Photo: Melissa Hom

The full spread at Barney Greengrass on the Upper West Side.

Photo: Bobby Doherty

These perfect, crisp French fries from Houseman in Hudson Square.

Photo: Melissa Hom

One of Shake Shake’s outstanding fried-chicken sandwiches.

Photo: Evan Sung

The eye-opening piña colada at Fort Defiance in Red Hook.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Cheesy square pizza at Emmy Squared in Williamsburg.

Photo: Melissa Hom

The full Korean-barbecue spread at Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong in midtown.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Jonathan Waxman’s iconic roast chicken at Barbuto in the West Village.

Photo: Melissa Hom

A fully stuffed lobster roll at Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co.

Photo: Melissa Hom

The resilient, encouraging mutton chop at Keens Steakhouse in Herald Square.

Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

The original Cosmopolitan at the Long Island Bar in Cobble Hill.

Photo: M. Cooper

A Peking-duck feast at Decoy in the West Village.

Photo: Bobby Doherty

Splurge on the marrow-spiked octopus fussili at Marea on Central Park South.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Crisp, creamy fried potato bread at Nix in Greenwich Village.

Photo: Noah Fecks

The extremely classic burger at J.G. Melon on the Upper East Side.

Photo: Bobby Doherty

The best Reuben sandwich in Brooklyn at Court Street Grocers in Carroll Gardens.

Photo: Melissa Hom

A giant, expensive steak all for yourself somewhere like the Breslin (pictured) or the Dutch.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Or this more affordable butcher’s steak at St. Anselm in Williamsburg.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Wood-fired, farm-to-table pizza at Franny’s in Park Slope.

Photo: Dominic Perri

And then some clam pizza (along with a few glasses of wine) at Pasquale Jones in Little Italy.

Photo: Paul Wagtouicz

Go for the dumpling spread at Tianjin Dumpling House in Flushing.

Photo: Melissa Hom

A properly bountiful raw-bar experience at Maison Premiere in Williamsburg.

Photo: Courtesy of Maison Premiere

The always-trustworthy oyster pan roast at Grand Central Oyster Bar in midtown.

Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine

Honey-sweetened hot chicken at Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen near Red Hook.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Warming, superlative soup dumplings at the Bao in the East Village.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Tiny cacio e pepe frittelle at Lilia in Williamsburg.

Photo: Jody Wissner

Or find an ideal rendition of the classic Roman pasta dish at Sandro’s on the Upper East Side.

Photo: Melissa Hom

A massive sandwich from City Subs in Park Slope.

Photo: Paul Wagtouicz

A crisp, cold Gibson at the Happiest Hour in Greenwich Village.

Photo: Jed Egan

A hot, fresh slice from Joe’s Pizza.

Photo: Jody Wissner

Freshly baked bagels from Black Seed.

Photo: Melissa Hom

Chicago-style Italian beef at Hank’s Juicy Beef in Tribeca.

Photo: Melissa Hom

World-class pie from Petee’s Pie Company on the Lower East Side.

Photo: Melissa Hom

These totally perfect chocolate-chip cookies from Maman.

Photo: Paul Wagtouicz

Rich, chocolatey babka from Breads Bakery in Union Square.

Photo: Victor Prado

A huge slice of cheesecake from Junior’s in Downtown Brooklyn because sometimes you just need something very familiar.

Photo: Melissa Hom

The massive floating island at Le Coq Rico in the Flatiron District.

Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

DIY s’mores at Olmsted in Prospect Heights.

Photo: Melissa Hom

A big slice of birthday cake (doesn’t matter that it’s not your birthday) and a much-needed shot at Butter & Scotch in Crown Heights.

Photo: Miachel Breton

Drop-dead-gorgeous chocolate mousse at Le Coucou in Soho.

Photo: Miachel Breton
54 Delicious Comfort Foods We All Deserve to Eat