All this talk of UFOs in the news has us thinking pop-ups are the UFOs of the food industry. They gain notoriety away from the public eye, and like an episode of UFO Hunters, we’re here to give you the low down on the NYC food pop-ups you have to see to believe. It’s a bird, it’s a plane...no, it’s jerked oysters laced with scotch bonnet peppers, forearm-sized sandwiches, a former financial advisor slinging wagyu burgers, and more 👽🛸🍽

As always, this article is just a small taste of the pop-ups and dish drops in the 🧨 Pop-Ups & Drops category on the 8it app. Hit the green button below each dish to access 8it and get all the deets. (Private Beta password: NYCPOPUP)

Gotham Smash Burger Pop-up
Lower East Side // 2.18

A smash burger lurks on almost every NYC corner nowadays, but this elusive beast is the one we keep coming back for. The good news is, it won’t be playing hide and seek for much longer as Gotham Burger Social Club is opening a brick-and-mortar in the Lower East Side this year. Fresh off a three-week NYC hiatus that left New Yorkers drooling over their instagram feeds wishing they were in Connecticut of all places, as they lit up the Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Festival. The Gotham Smash Burger Pop-up is back this weekend at The Moxy. Tap the burger below for all the info.

Libertine
Lower East Side // 2.19

There have been recent sightings of Libertine, a French bistro from owner Cody Pruitt and chef Max Mackinnon in the West Village. But in the meantime, they’re probing Lower Manhattan with pop-ups, and the next one is set for Gem Wine this Sunday. A recent menu from their pop-up at Lord’s included French classics like Lamb à la Moutarde, Duck au Poivre, and Monkfish à la Normande. French wines will be flowing as well so if you’ve been looking for a portal to France, here it is. Tap the French flag below for all the info.

Nardone Pasta Co.
Bushwick // 2.19

In the face of extraterrestrial threats, New York needs a hero. Thankfully, seeded heroes from Nardone Pasta Co will be in Bushwick’s orbit on Sunday, decked out with chicken cutlets, long hots, brocolli rabe, and fresh mozzarella or eggplant parm. Chef James Nardone, former sous chef of Suraya, which Infatuation Philadelphia praised for its ability to fix all problems, is bringing his pop-up to Mama Yoshi Mini Mart, slinging sandwiches before opening a Philly brick-and-mortar that will be called Elma. Tap the hero below for all the info.

Pelah Kitchen
Bed-Stuy // 2.19

There’s nothing more welcoming than a piece of cake, so keeping one on hand for potential celestial visitors is a smart preemptive measure. But, it’s likely that they’ve seen Jenneh Kaikai’s otherworldly pastries before somewhere out in the cosmos. Her pop-up Pelah Kitchen is known for cakes with botanical decor, like a cardamom-spiced carrot cake with dried pineapple flowers, and elevated classics, like browned butter chocolate chip cookies. Tap the cake below for all the info on the pop-up this Sunday.

Flatbush Oyster Co.
Crown Heights // 2.18

Flatbush Oyster Co. is taking the shellfish game to the stratosphere with jerked oysters, escoviche mussels, and more raw bar specialties with a unique twist. This Saturday, they’re popping up at King Tai serving the aforementioned bivalves, oysters by the half dozen, a raw bar platter, sticky glazed lamb ribs, and cauliflower sliders. This might just be the pop-up the UFOs have been searching for this whole time. Tap the oyster below for all the info.

Beta password is: NYCDROP