Chug-a-chug-a, chug-a-chug-a, the hype train is pulling into the station! Whether it be chefs, athletes, the suck-up always trying to get promoted at work, or the finance bro hitting on every girl who looks at him at The Wren - seems like everyone is gassing themselves up nowadays. That’s cool. Strut your stuff. But the hype machine can only take you so far. Having a reputation beats having hype - every day of the week. As we’ve seen before, you can’t do a touchdown celebration before you reach the endzone. So this week, we’re celebrating the chefs who move in silence. The ones who dedicate themselves to the grind, not the hype; and let the food do the talking. Four pop-ups and a dish drop that your stomach will hate you for missing will have you smashing buttons to pre-order or reserve your spot this week.

As always, this article is just a small taste of the pop-ups and drops you can find in the 8it app. Hit the green button at the bottom of this article to explore the 8it app.

Chile Con Miel
Williamsburg // 1.28

Tony Ortiz is back at Ensenada with five unique courses of CaliMex cuisine, including a recipe passed down through generations. Squash fritters with a batter so light it’s nearly transparent will start the meal, followed by Granny Smith and wasabi aguachile, a duck confit in almond mole laced with citrus and more. Freshly pressed tortillas and ingredients sourced directly from Mexico will feature in this ancestral dining experience. Find all the info in the 💥 Pop-ups category on the 8it app.

Bone-in Short Rib En Croute
Flatiron // 1.26-1.28

Hawksmoor and Dominique Ansel are teaming up for the most unctuous drop so far this year. Stray bone-in short ribs braised to perfection at Hawksmoor have made their way to Dominique Ansel Workshop where the French baker is wrapping them in laminated brioche to keep them at bay. Madness. Although the chid inside us all will be tempted to wield the bone and eat it like a lollipop, the bone pulls right out of the vessel, making way for you to lather each bite with intoxicatingly meaty bone marrow gravy. Find all the info in the 🧨 Drops category on the 8it app.

South Philly Barbacoa
Bushwick // 1.28

Los Tacos no. 1, Taqueria Ramirez and Birria-Landia make New Yorkers feel spoiled for choice when it comes to tacos. But when James Beard Award-winning Chef Christina Martinez is in town, hers are the best in NYC. With over 40 years of experience making her signature dish - lamb barbacoa with handmade tortillas, salsas and nopales - the competition just can’t keep up. These tacos, which will be available at La Locheria on Sunday, taste like history and missing the opportunity to try them would be worse than sleeping through Christmas. Find all the info in the 💥 Pop-ups category on the 8it app.

Kamayan with Unkle Harold
Inwood // 1.31 & 2.1

Kamayan refers to the Filipino method of eating with bare hands and it’s fitting considering you won’t want to waste your time fumbling around with silverware when digging in to this stacked collaborative feast. Two of the cities top Filipino chefs, Harold Villarosa and Rachel Saberon, are teaming up to sprawl the bounties of land and sea on banana leaves for your enjoyment at the newly opened Patok by Rach. Find all the info in the 💥 Pop-ups category on the 8it app.

Taste of the African Diaspora
Crown Heights // 2.3

Have you ever had a shrimp burger? Didn’t think so. But you need one and it’s coming to you next Saturday in Crown Heights. Masterchef alum and public school teacher Chef Stunn is the man behind this marvel that will feature in a five-course dinner at the Crown Hill Theatre, an art gallery adorned with work by black and brown artists. A Nigerian-American, Stunn will draw inspiration from his African roots into each of the five courses. Find all the info in the 💥 Pop-ups category on the 8it app.

Psst…If you’ve made it this far, you probably give a damn about what we’re doing at 8it. Our founder Steve would love to get to know you. Hit this link to lock in 15 minutes to say what’s up.