Found in an unlikely location – amid Óbuda’s Soviet-era panel buildings – the newly opened New York Minute diner provides Uncle Sam’s favorite flavors for low prices. While getting here from Budapest’s city center requires a short excursion, it's well worth the journey for dedicated fans of American staples like barbecued ribs, macaroni and cheese, creamy milkshakes, and even deep-fried Oreo cookies.

Needless to say, the city’s gastronomy does not really flourish deep inside Óbuda’s concrete jungle of towering panel-building apartments. Here it’s always the same story: Hungarian-style burgers stuffed with shredded cabbage, gyros joints, and the occasional Chinese fast-food restaurant. The owners of New York Minute grew up in this neighborhood, and decided to bring some much-needed variety to the bland selection of local cuisine.

A few weeks ago, not far from the concrete playground where there used to hang out, a few local guys opened New York Minute. Although the decoration does not boast vintage Corvettes or a jukebox blasting soulful tunes of Sam Cooke, the joint still has an authentic American-diner vibe – with quite modest prices to match.

Starters include mac & cheese (740 HUF), chicken wings, and all sorts of deep-fried delicacies (840-940 HUF). Wraps, chili, and barbecue specialties are also available – we went with the ribs (1,440 HUF), which were juicy and delicious – especially with the grilled corn on the side.

Sandwiches – which you can put together as you like or seek some professional advice if needed – are available in three sizes. The XXL with North Carolina-style pulled pork cost us 1,240 forints, which is a real bargain compared with prices in downtown Budapest. Hot dogs, burgers, pizzas, and salads are also on the menu, though we couldn’t resist skipping straight to the desserts.

For only 690 forints, you get a half-liter milkshake here. Besides the classic flavors, they offer a cola-vanilla ice-cream shake and the mysterious “5 Dollar Shake”, both guaranteeing a serious sugar rush. The infamous deep-fried Oreo was an interesting experience, though it is certainly not going to be our dessert of choice at New York Minute. Despite being delicious in its very peculiar way, it was a tad too heavy for our liking.

While New York Minute is certainly an oddity in Óbuda, this tiny island of American diner cuisine definitely has the potential to become a neighborhood favorite – and any US citizens craving a taste of home will certainly find it easier to come here than to cross the Atlantic.

Address: Budapest 1031, Vízimolnár u. 10
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