Egg Cream is a classic beverage that you can find in New York City. This refreshing soda can be hard to find, so we round up five of the best places for egg cream in New York City, where you can savour a taste of NYC in a glass.
What is Egg Cream?
Contrary to its name, egg cream has neither eggs nor cream in it.
The foamy drink is instead a carbonated soda drink that is made with three key ingredients: milk, seltzer water, and chocolate syrup.
Since egg creams cannot be bottled, they are always made fresh. That’s all the more reason why you need to know where to seek out the best egg creams in NYC.
Origins of Egg Cream
Egg creams are believed to have been created in the late 19th or early 20th century by Jewish immigrants in New York City. It is said to have been invented in the 1900s by Louis Auster a Jewish candy store proprietor. He sold them from his shop at Second Avenue and East 7th Street.
It eventually became particularly popular in Jewish delicatessens and soda fountains throughout New York City.
How is Egg Cream Made?
Egg creams are made in a tall, narrow glass. To start off, add about a half-cup of cold milk to the glass. This is then followed by a good amount of chocolate syrup. Around three tablespoons of chocolate syrup should be sufficient.
Then, seltzer water is slowly poured into the glass while being stirred vigorously with a long spoon to make a frothy head.
This results in a frothy, creamy beverage with a unique flavor.
It is said that the key to a good egg cream is getting the right balance of ingredients and achieving the perfect amount of froth.
For a good egg cream, New Yorkers would head out to soda fountains or delis where the best egg creams are made.
National Egg Cream Day
And did you know that March, 16, each year is National Egg Cream Day? Of course you don’t need to wait till then to enjoy one of the chocolatey beverages.
Every day can be Egg Cream Day if you know where to look.
Best Places for Egg Creams in New York City
Here are five of the top places where you can find egg creams in New York City.
Ray’s Candy Store
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Ray’s Candy Store in the East Village neighbourhood of Manhattan is a well-known and beloved establishment located in New York City. Established in 1974, it is an NYC institution and operated by Ray Alvarez who immigrated to New York City in the 1960s. It has been satisfying its customers at all time of the day and is an especially popular spot for late-night diners.
Ray’s Candy Store is particularly renowned for its eclectic menu. This include classic comfort foods like hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries. What the deli is especially well known for is it diverse selection of deep-fried delights. These include fried Oreos, beignets and egg creams.
Where: 113 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA
Visit Ray’s Candy Store online
Yonah Shimmel Knish Bakery
Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery is a historic bakery located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. It is best known for its traditional Jewish knishes, a type of Eastern European snack pastry filled with ingredients such as mashed potato, kasha, cheese, or spinach. There are more modern varieties that include sweet potatoes and broccoli, and even sweet cheese knishes.
The history of Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery dates back all the way to 1910 when it was founded by Yonah Schimmel, a rabbi who immigrated to the United States from Romania.
The bakery hasn’t looked back since and has become a beloved institution in the neighborhood. It is open seven days a week and remains family run till today.
In addition to Jewish comfort food, you can also get a great classic egg cream at this NY bakery. Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery’s Classic New York Egg Cream is made with U-Bet Chocolate syrup and available in chocolate, vanilla or Black & White flavors. It is a nice complement to go with your knish.
Where: 37 E. Houston Street, New York, NY 10002
Visit the Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery website.
Russ & Daughters
Russ & Daughters is specialty food store located in New York City. The store was originally founded by Joel Russ in 1914, an immigrant from Eastern Europe, and began as a pushcart selling herring and other foods. It has since grown to become a landmark in the Lower East Side.
Russ & Daughters is renowned for its high-quality smoke fish, including Nova Scotia salmon, sable, whitefish, and sturgeon. caviar, bagels, and other Jewish delicacies.
You can enjoy a nice brunch at the Russ Daughters’ Cafe at 127 Orchard Street, New York City and get a chocolate egg cream to go with your meal.
Visit the Russ & Daughters website.
Lexington Candy Shop
Located at the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, three blocks away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 83rd Street, the Lexington Candy Shop is a historic luncheonette and soda fountain.
The establishment has been around since 1925 and serves breakfast and lunch items such as sandwiches, burgers, salads, and other classic diner fare.
Lexington Candy Shop is also famous for its traditional soda fountain offerings, including milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, malted milkshakes and egg creams. You can enjoy one of these when you can dine at the Lexington Candy Shop where the atmosphere still exudes vintage diner style and is a reminder of a time gone by.
Where: 1226 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
Visit the Lexington Candy Shop website.
Veselka
Established in 1954, Veselka is located in the heart of New York City’s East Village. It is best known for its traditional Ukranian cuisine and is famous for its pierogies, borscht, and other Eastern European dishes.
Set up by Ukrainian immigrants, the shop has items like classics like potato pierogis and potato pancakes on the menu.
Another thing that is one the menu is vanilla egg creams, a perfect way to wash down your hearty meal at Veselka.
Where:
144 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003;
1115 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002 (Veselka Essex)
Visit the Veselka website.
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