Rankings

The 2006 World Street Food Rankings are in. The best of food from street stalls around the world:


Not Worth a Mention (I don't even remember seeing street foods here):
Ethiopia
Namibia
South Africa

Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order):
Canada: Putin. Need I say more.
Greece: Gyros, sausage pitas, fruit stands, sesame seed bread sticks.
Japan: Not really street food, but great samples of chewy sweet things.
Peru: Hot fresh pop-corn makes it a contender, good turkey sandwiches too (though hard to find) plus ice cream, whipped and sugared egg whites, and the famous and delicious queso helado.

Third Place:
China: Steamed dumplings, barbecued meat on sticks, noodles, and all very very cheap. Most street food is cheap, but China is super cheap. Best feature: pointing and picking out ingredients for your noodles. Good fresh fruit options and gains points for things like fresh pineapple and Washington apples far from tropical areas, and from Washington, for that matter. Loses points for lack of good sweet options.

Runner Up (and a very hard decision):
Thailand: Great variety, fresh, very easy to order, even easier to find. Ordering is unintimidating. Also you can find good and spicy options. Added bonus: excellent banana, chocolate, and sugared crepes. Warm climate also helps make eating at street stands an even more attractive option.

World Champion:
Mexico: Spicy, everywhere, and great variety. Roast Chickens, hotdogs, hamburgers, tortas, tacos of all types, great fruit, roast corn with chile. Extra points for the abundant use of lime and the fact that even well-heeled business-people eat from street food stalls (slight deduction for mayonnaise obsession). There could be better dessert options but paletas offer decent variety.