Restaurante o Caranguejo
For those who like to get hands on with their seafood, this dish takes you back to basics. Your "Caranguejo" (mangrove crab) arrives in an earthenware dish with a simple covering of light seafood sauce and fresh cilantro … and a wooden mallet! The ‘Toc Toc’ part of this dish is the noise you make as you put that mallet to good use, cracking the shell so you can get to the sweet flesh locked inside.

Ali's Kabab Cafe
For about $20, Ali el Sayed, the larger-than-life Egyptian chef-owner of Kabab Café, will prepare you a tasting of several falafel -- from everyday ethereal orbs to an over-the-tops stuffed number.

The King of Falafel & Shawarma
Not only is Fares “Freddy” Zeidaies one of the most charismatic street vendors, he serves one of the best falafel over rice plates around. His freshly fried oblong falafel is superb.

Taim
Einat Admony presents Israeli falafel with a gourmet twist at Taim. Three varieties are offered: • green: with parsley, cilantro, mint • harissa: mixed with Tunisian spices • red: mixed with roasted red peppers. It is one of the best falafel sandwiches to be had in the West Village.

Almacen El Nono Amigo
On a quiet corner in Palermo, El Nono Amigo brings a bit of a twist on the classic empanada shop. While this almacén and deli is known for its artisanal beer, sandwiches and charcuterie platters, it also does an interesting take on the empanada with flavors like humita (sweet corn), pickled eggplant, and my personal favorite, marinated artichoke. Pair it with a Campari, Cynar or Fernet aperitivo and you have a winning combination

Pekin Bar de Pizzas
I once wrote a love letter to Pekin’s lamb empanada. Here’s an excerpt since you don’t need to know much more than that: “I took a bite and my jaw locked, teeth began to sweat, stomach gasmed with delight — big chunks, perfectly seasoned, braised for what seemed to be for days in a flavorful cumin, onion and spice infused mix, and served in an open faced triangle — so I could subtly peek at your overwhelming sex appeal. From that day forward, I knew we were meant to be.”

Peron Peron
It’s not often you hear about an empanada that develops a crazy cult following. This sit-down restaurant, which honors Argentina’s beloved political figures Juan and Evita Peron, might seem like an unassuming spot for making one of the best empanadas in the city. But Peron Peron’s version has managed to cause somewhat of an unhealthy addiction in its fanatics. Peron Peron’s empanadas are stuffed with braised osso bucco and then deep-fried.

La Fachada Casa de Pizza
La Fachada is an empanada shop, mostly on demand for delivery, with one of the largest selections of empanada flavors in the city. It is known for both the traditional and open-faced baked styles. Try flavor combinations like mendocina (spiced beef); pancetta and plum; sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan and arugula; roasted leek and cheese; and ham with pineapple.

a Serapia
If you don’t know the exact address, you probably won’t find this gritty hole in the wall that specializes in regional food from the north of Argentina. With only about 10 tables (ridiculously close together), this spot fills up for lunch and dinner with locals munching on empanadas by the dozens. It’s impossible to eat less than three of the empanadas salteñas, made with perfectly flakey dough and baked in the oven.

Fried Egg I'm in Love
With its witty, music-related sandwich names and delicious variety of local and sustainable ingredients, Fried Egg I’m in Love represents the best of Portland’s food trucks. If you want a grown-up version of the childhood comfort classic fried egg sandwich, look no further. Consider the Huevo Mutilation, pictured: fried egg, seared ham, caramelized onions, Tillamook cheddar and a house-made Aardvark hot sauce aioli for $6.50.