Mokoloco

When it opened in 2019, Mokoloco was a low-key sandwich spot from the owners of the popular Mokonuts around the block, which is on our first-timer’s guide. It’s since morphed into a neighborhood joint for rotating chefs to pop up and serve their own cuisine for a few months. Recent chefs have cooked up Palestinian classics like kubbeh grilled on charcoal, North African and Judeo-Arabic dishes like calf’s liver boulfaf and chickpea ragout, Italian twists on classics like veal brain ravioli with briney bottarga, and crispy Korean fried chicken. 

Check their Instagram to learn who’s in residence next and whether the particular chef will be serving lunch and/or dinner. The neighborhood-like atmosphere is lively and loud thanks to the open kitchen, and since the space isn’t huge, book ahead if you can.