Wiki

Wiki is a unique member of the New York Hip-Hop scene. Since his breakthrough ten years ago with 

, the lyricist and rapper has built a reputation for producing tracks with raw emotion and a hard lyrical flow, meticulously balancing aggression and vulnerability. Growing up in the NYC melting pot, he moved between Brooklyn, Chinatown and the Upper West Side - his work reflects true love for his city and all its cultural nuances. 

Check out his favourite local places to grab a bite to eat.

United States

Welcome to New York City. People are constantly on the move, this is a city of hustlers, a place where people come to level up, settling isn’t an option. You’ll quickly realize that there’s always going to be a lot more to do than you have time in the day for. 

And that’s cool, NYC was meant to be explored more than once.

What's The Deal On

A sense of freedom you won’t find anywhere else

Intro

Once the capital of the country, the city has come to define America for many

Cultural History

Everyone thinks their hood is the best – and they’re right

Hoods

Wherever you stay, there’s plenty to explore

Accomodation

New York can be a city for the marginalized to feel welcomed and empowered

Being Queer in NYC

Diverse but there’s a history of oppression that can’t be forgotten

Race

Factor in a half-hour each way for scenic detours and infamous train delays

Local Transport

Rest assured, New York City has some of the best food on the planet

Food & Drink

Fairly liberal but many prefer to skip the political talk

Political Situation

Etiquette & Cultural Values 

Come prepared with common sense mixed with a couple precautions

Safety

Most situations shouldn’t escalate, but know your rights

The Police

Solo Travel

Weed is legal in the city, when it comes to other drugs, know your source or skip it

Drugs

Shopping

Shopping in New York City

Nightlife 

Nightlife in New York City

Food

The Best Restaurants and Places to Eat

Guides

Where to Find Community Spaces 

Key Events

Local Guides From Our Community 

Explore NYC

Features

Watch

New York City 

Chinese

Restaurant

Spicy Village (right by the park)

Chicken spot. Local. Fire food. Everyone just be skating and kickin' it outside there.

Breakfast

Sandwich Shop

Cheeky Sandwiches

Couple of locations. It’s reliable and a good slice.

Pizza

Pizzeria 

Joe's Pizza

Been going there since I was a kid, it’s still there which is good to see.

Dumplings

North Dumplings 

Hugo Mendoza was raised in the Bronx. Today, he works for streetwear brand Stüssy and lives between New York and Toronto. According to Hugo, New York is best described as a "melting pot of hundreds, thousands of different cultures." With such a rich heritage of immigration, in NY "if you are broke and can't afford traveling, you can pull up to any of the boroughs and catch a little piece of the world in any little bodega or restaurant."

The OG borough for Mendoza, of course, is the Bronx. "The energy and culture in there is like no other. On any day during the summer you can walk through many blocks and witness some sidewalk BBQs, a block party, some old Dominican dudes playing dominoes in front of the bodega." Read his guide to see all of the gems within this under-explored borough, from museums and murals to authentic Dominican spots. One tip from Hugo is, when in NY, "eat good and go relax on the grass at Pelham Bay Park."

The Bronx Museum tends to go under people's radar a lot of the time but this is one of my top 3 favorite museums in NY. Last year (2019) they had the best exhibition I've ever been to. Shout out Henry Chalfant.

This is an old photo but it captures the very essence of Fordham Road. From sneakers you haven't seen in years to $5 thermal packs to keep you warm through a NY winter, this joint has it all. If you make your way towards University Heights Bridge you can fuck with some Texas size Henny Coladas at Dallas BBQs.

This one here is a gem. I stumbled upon the Bartow mansion one time I was riding on my 10-speed headed to City Island, if I remember correctly. The garden is like no other and if you're into Greek revival interiors this joint is for you.

I keep this one close to my heart. Big Pun is in my top 5 for obvious reasons. Tats Cru is legendary Bronx shit. Not much to say about this one, they switch it every other year. Each year is hard. If you fuck with PUN go see it. 

Dominican owned. Bronx based. Great food. The menu changes daily, Thursday is my go-to. Chivo con arroz blanco y guandules de coco. Enough said.

Best Pizza in the Bronx. Don't @ me. Get the sausage slice. 

If you know me, you knew this one was coming. Get a little bit of each section. The menu is broken down into sections. Fried, Boiled and I think burgers and chicken. Don't touch those. Stick to the seafood. Go fuck with a Henny Colada or 2. The peoples at the bar have no actual bartending experience so they bless the Henny amounts.

Best Chopped Cheese in the Bronx in my opinion. Open 24hrs. I know if you are from NY and you're reading this I know youre like "Hugo got it fucked up, the best chopped cheese is..." That's cool. If ya'll ever decide to take a trip uptown, come see for yaself. 

Similar Guides

Explore The Bronx with Hugo Mendoza

35s & 45s was born, in part, to broaden the avenues outside of the mainstream gallery system, while sharing love of film photography and records. The mission of the first exhibition was to provide a space where these mediums could be celebrated by and for their community. It quickly became a large monthly gathering for creatives to network, share ideas and support analog. That original mission carries through still today, but exceeding expectations. Check out 35s & 45s' guide to the best places to find analog in NYC.

Owned and operated by local DJ Fatik, I go mainly for the new house/techno/re-issue etc stuff and to kick it. He has an ill plant collection too!

Owned and curated by the DJ's DJ Tom Noble - they carry everything but for me - solid funk, soul, world, disco and house + massive 45 collection. They throw fun in store parties a lot - I walked in on Antal & Tom playing once.

Big, big collection and neighbourhood staple of Williamsburg. Big and super well priced collection of jazz, soul, funk, rock, house, world, etc.

Really dope record store and cafe (great coffee) with rare and well curated collection of used and new disco, house, techno, jazz, brazil, world/brazil and soul.

A solid buy, sell, trade record store with mostly rock, reggae, funk etc - but also a pretty good selection of house joints.

A neighbourhood staple in East Village with the best, consistent rotation of affordable and absolute heat on wax - everything from RnB, soul, disco, hip-hop, techno, house and more house.

A very important space, shout out to owners Vanessa & Bowen. This is one of the most inclusive clubbing spaces in NYC right now with some of the best up & coming, forward thinking DJs as well as staple locals and parties. Good priced drinks, with a totally fun and loose atmosphere - one of my favorite places to be. Also astrology themed cocktails!

Best large club in New York right now, no phones on the dance floor!!! Amazing outside day parties in Spring/Summer with consistent local and international talent I always love to see - Honey Dijon, Theo Parrish, DJ Marcelle, Soul Summit, Marcellus Pittman, Galcher Lustwerk, Stud1nt, Analog Soul etc.

Large club in south Brooklyn with 2 rooms, 1 with a large wooden dance floor and custom hi-fi sound system the other shared with a cafe and more for listening and hanging - although, dancing occurs fo sho - another great place to see the likes of Theo Parrish, Francois K, Ron Trent etc.

Hi-fidelity sound system with high quality vegan tacos, the club is in a cool basement built out with wooden sound treatment and Klipsch system + home rotary mixer - vinyl sounds fantastic here.

The consistent home of techno in Brooklyn for some time now - this is a medium/small size space with heavy hitting lineups on a regular basis, well priced and fun. This is one of my favorite places to hang.

Cocktail bar and fusion sushi restaurant with local disco, funk, rnb and soul DJs. Also home to the birth of 35s & 45s.

Manhattan staple true Discotheque style club with views of New Jersey & New York on the top floor of the Standard Hotel - always good DJs - great place to catch Eli Escobar, Sadar Bahar or local parties from Brooklyn that make their way to Manhattan.

A very small futuristic Star Wars outpost kind of space-themed bar with a custom built hi fidelity sound system and rotary mixer.

Best place for development, hi-res printing, framing, etc - all around full service shop in Soho.

DIY film development in Bushwick, a great space to meet others in the neighbourhood and a good place to learn about new spaces or local exhibitions.

Super fast and fairly cheap place for solid development in LES / Chinatown.

Cheap place in Greenpoint to buy film and develop, best for fast turn around on developing - but the quality is not always the top notch. You get what you pay for, its bottom dollar and fast!

35s & 45s Guide to NYC Crate Digging

Oshun make R&B with a fluidity that speaks to their Yoruba namesake. The duo evoke love, peace and spirituality in their "sonic manifestation of Afrofuturism". After first meeting at the Martin Luther King orientation at NYU, Niambi and Thandi formed Oshun in their university dance studio. Initially hopping on Dilla beats, they've since developed their own sub-genre of R&B characterised by heavy influences of reggae and roots rhythms. Check out their go-tos in New York City.

Historical market on 116th adorned with gorgeous textiles, jewelry, art, and African-American Culture. Favorite vendors: the fabric stores & the waist bead tables

Upscale rooftop bar and restaurant in LES with a millennial touch. Beautiful view of NYC. Favourites on the menu: Any of their delicious cocktails!

Our favourite hangout spot, right in the centre of NYU. Lowkey kinda sketchy which is cool because anything interesting can happen! Very close to all kinds of food

Fun Nigerian restaurant with a dinner table inside an authentic Lagos-style taxi! Favorites on menu include: efo, akara, and egusi

Cute & small African boutique shop. Everything from clothing, to purses / backpacks, accessories, and interior decoration - this is our go to spot for gifts and fly statement pieces

Falafel sandwich w hummus for $4. Deliciousssssss

Oshun's Top Tips for NYC

Queen's native Diana Gordon, is an American singer-songwriter who was the mastermind behind the infamous lyric "Becky with the good hair." She credits the beginning of her career to her time as a 17 year old coat checker in a Brooklyn nightclub when Mary J. Blige listened to her CD. Moving away from dance music and evolving into artistry that best represented her being, Diana released 

 , an EP marked by her striking voice and emotional candor. Peep Diana's guide for all her favourite spots in NYC.

Wiki’s Hit List: The Best Places to Eat in NYC

Wiki’s Hit List: The Best Places to Eat in NYC

Spicy Village (right by the park)

Cheeky Sandwiches

Joe's Pizza

North Dumplings