Kolkata Opens First Plastic-Free Civic Street Food Hub

Several new street food and restaurant expansions are enhancing local culinary scenes across different cities. In Philadelphia, Malooga, an Old City Yemeni restaurant, is opening a second location in Narberth this fall, offering group seating, outdoor dining, and a bakery, reflecting a desire for a warm, community-focused environment. Kolkata has launched its first civic street food hub on Russel Street, providing a hygienic, plastic-free setting for 32 authorized vendors who were relocated from streets; the initiative is part of a broader effort to promote safe food practices and rehabilitate hawkers with government support, with two more hubs planned. Baltimore is repurposing a former CVS space downtown to house Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings GO, consolidating several fast-food franchises under one roof. In San Angelo, Texas, a new street food restaurant named 1st Bite is set to open, offering homemade burgers, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, and other street fare from local eateries RJ’s BBQ and Lily’s Pizza. These developments highlight a trend towards revitalizing street food culture with a focus on hygiene, community, and diverse culinary experiences.