Fork This City

Josh and Gabby start in the East Village at Justin’s Salt Bread, home of the viral Korean-style salt bread. Known for its crispy, caramelized bottom and soft, buttery interior, they break down what makes it stand out and whether it lives up to the hype. Next up is COTE, one of NYC’s most popular Korean steakhouses. With a Michelin star and a high bar to match, Gabby digs into the experience, the food, and what’s actually worth ordering. To close it out, they sit down with Nate from Brown Bag Sandwich Co. to talk about the art of the sandwich — from construction to balance, and why simplicity is often the hardest thing to get right.

Josh and Gabby cover three very different corners of the NYC food scene, starting at Blank Street Coffee — where Josh doesn’t drink coffee, so Gabby takes the lead on what’s actually worth ordering. Then they head to Win Son Bakery, diving into one of the city’s most talked-about Taiwanese-American spots, breaking down the scallion pancake breakfast sandwich, fan tuan, mochi donuts, and more. They also stop by Red Gate Bakery to give an honest, balanced review — what works and what doesn’t. 

To close it out, they sit down with Elliott, founder of Snag Reservations, to talk about his new app designed to help you land some of the hardest reservations to get in NYC — and what it takes to break into the city’s competitive dining landscape.

Josh sits down with Ariel of Ariel’s Eats, the NYC food creator whose reviews and restaurant recommendations have built a loyal following online.

Ariel shares the story behind how the account first started as a side project while she was working a full-time job, and how the pandemic helped spark the idea to start documenting her food experiences. When she was laid off more than two years ago, she decided to take it as a sign and pursue Ariel’s Eats full time.

They talk about what people don’t see behind the scenes of food content creation: the hours of editing, doing her own outreach to restaurants and brands, managing sales and marketing, and running every part of the business herself. Ariel also explains why content creation is so fascinating to her — you never quite know what’s going to happen with a post, what will resonate, or where the next opportunity will come from.

Follow Ariel on IG! @ariels_eats

Josh and Gabby head to Greenwich Village to try Chada, a Thai restaurant that opened in 2025 from alums of Soothr. They break down their full meal, including a standout Pad See Ew, the appetizers that impressed, and where the experience fell a little short.

But dinner also comes with a side of unexpected entertainment when a very loud date two tables over sparks a conversation about restaurant etiquette and the unwritten rules of dining out.

Later in the episode, they’re joined by Jaxx Snax founder Jacqueline, a classically trained French pastry chef known for her baked goods, especially her babka. She shares the story behind building her business, how social media has helped grow her audience, and what it takes to turn great pastry into a growing brand.

https://jaxxsnax.com/

Josh and Gabby hit three buzzy spots in the city, starting with Bad Roman at Columbus Circle, where the appetizers steal the show over the mains. Next, they dive into Motek, raving about the food while chatting about how quickly the restaurant is expanding across the city. Finally, they visit Randy’s Donuts, the LA institution now in NYC. Along the way, Gabby reflects on the “demise of their own hype,” a trend of restaurants opening with big buzz only to wrestle with expectations. From smart apps to cult donuts, this episode explores what’s really worth the hype in the city’s dining scene.

Josh and Gabby chase one of downtown’s most talked-about bites at Son del North, the burrito spot redefining expectations with Northern Mexico–style flavors, Sonoran flour tortillas, and a strict no-rice philosophy at its Lower East Side and West Village locations. Then they sit down with Kim, founder of Kawaii Cafe, to talk about building a small business in New York, the realities behind the counter, and the rich, bold pull of her signature Vietnamese coffee. From hype-driven burritos to heartfelt entrepreneurship, this episode is all about what fuels the city—on the plate and beyond.

Josh and Gabby explore the flavors of Brooklyn with a stop at Eyval, a New York Times Top 100 Persian restaurant in Bushwick. They then head to Faicco’s Italian Market, home to housemade sausages, sauces, and a treasure trove of meats, cheeses, and oils. Along the way, they dig into the cookie scene, including a spotlight on Funny Face Bakery, ranking NYC’s best bites one dessert at a time. From iconic dishes to hidden gems, this episode is a taste tour of flavor, culture, and the quirks that make New York food unforgettable.

Josh and Gabby are joined by bagel connoisseur and curator Sam Silverman, founder of BagelUp and one of Brooklyn Magazine’s 50 Most Fascinating People. Together, they dive into New York’s bagel culture — from what actually makes a great bagel to how the city’s most iconic food has evolved over time. They talk history, hype, personal favorites, and the rules that should (or shouldn’t) exist when it comes to ordering a bagel. If you’ve ever had a strong opinion about boiled vs. toasted, schmears, or toasting, this episode is for you.

https://www.bagelup.com/

Josh and Gabby head to one of Brooklyn’s toughest reservations: Theodora, the MICHELIN-recognized Mediterranean spot in Fort Greene known for its open-fire cooking and seasonal plates. They ordered practically the entire menu and break down what lived up to the hype and what stood out most. From there, the conversation shifts to frozen yogurt and the wave of 2016 nostalgia surrounding its comeback. Is froyo actually worth revisiting, or are we just romanticizing the past? Honest takes, strong opinions, and plenty of food talk in this episode of Fork This City.

Josh and Gabby dive into a true takeout staple: Marinara Pizza. From there, Josh breaks down his thoughts on Dave Portnoy’s pizza reviews and what they’ve done for slice culture. Then it’s time for Fork’d Up or Fair, where we air out our biggest restaurant service pet peeves. From annoying antics to frustrating situations, we run through real dining scenarios and decide what’s completely unacceptable versus just the reality of eating out in 2026. Honest takes, strong opinions, and plenty of food talk in this episode of Fork This City.