Local Street Eats
A burger big in flavor—and size.
"It's a big bite to stick in your mouth, but it's tasty."
An amped-up take on a nostalgic treat.
"Every time you eat it, you just… wow, this is way better than the ones I had as a kid."
And a taste of Philly in a taco.
"There's no need to go to Philly anymore. They'll save money on the plane ticket and come here twice as much."
Why make your tastebuds travel when you can just go local?
Tucked away in Nashua, New Hampshire, Local Street Eats is a fun, funky spot where owner Elissa Drift lets her personality run wild in the food, the space, and the overall vibe.
"It's chaotic. It's hectic. It's a little bit of everything. I always laugh because I say it's all my things. I have all my things here, and I just think of The Little Mermaid, and she's in her treasure trove with all her fun little trinkets and unique nuances.
It's fun, it's unexpected. Getting dressed up is not required by any means, but it is a fun place to just come and have some really unique bites."
And that playful personality extends straight to the menu.
"I wanted to create a place that had a fun and approachable menu, a menu that was unique but familiar. I wanted to take the local bites of the late-night vibrant streets all over the world and bring that locally to Nashua. I think the menu itself is very approachable, but also has that unique ‘I've never had this before done this way’ feeling."
Dinner at Local Street Eats is like a trip for your stomach, with dishes like the Warm Street Corn Dip served with house-seasoned tortilla chips, and a fancy version of jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon.
"They are not your average jalapeño poppers. These are baked with a smoky flavor from the bacon, a little spice from the jalapeño, and a creamy house-made filling. They are so good. We can't get enough of them."
There are Philly Cheesesteak Tacos stuffed with sautéed peppers and onions in a creamy house-made cheese sauce, Korean Street Bao served on a crispy fried bun with crunchy kimchi and flavor-packed bulgogi beef, and even Korean-style poutine smothered in that same bulgogi, kimchi bacon jam, and a drizzle of gochujang aioli.
"You're going to get that sweetness, that crisp taste. The bulgogi has a little bit of spiciness but also a little sweetness. It’s an overall symphony of flavors that come together to create an awesome dish."
Gochujang also serves as the base of their crispy cauliflower.
"The crispy cauliflower is nice and crispy. It's deep fried but also gluten-free. We fry it until golden and toss it in gochujang. It has a great pop of flavor with a little heat, and it's really, really good."
And the O-rings are one of Elissa’s favorites.
"Our rings definitely hit the spot. We toss them in our house-made seasoning, which really sets them off, and pair them with a house-made dipper just like what you’d expect from a bloomin’ onion back in the day."
If you want something on the healthier side, try a Chicken Hibachi Bowl with soy-marinated chicken over fluffy rice with lots of veggies, sesame seeds, and scallions for crunch, or a pair of Lamb Gyros served on soft pita with creamy tzatziki.
But if you want to completely break your diet, go for the BBQ Smashburger.
"The barbecue smashburger is stacked high with two patties, melty cheese, onion rings, bacon, and all the gooey goodness. You might need a fork and knife for this, but it's tasty."
Other handhelds include the Hot Honey Chicken Sando stacked with lettuce, tomato, and pickles with a garlic aioli.
"That chicken melts in your mouth. Then we top it with a hot honey drizzle on a soft, slightly sweet bun. You get savory flavor, a snap from the pickles, a little garlic, a little spice, and all the pickled veggies make it even better."
And for dessert, Dunkaroos get a grown-up makeover.
"Always save room for the Dunkaroos. It's nostalgia wrapped in a cozy hug. We make thin, buttery cookies and serve them with a house-made dunkaroo dip topped with rainbow sprinkles. Those Dunkaroos are not to be missed."
And while the restaurant is built around Elissa’s tastes, it’s the customers who truly make it special for her.
"I really love having people come in and have a great experience. Watching them leave happy and saying they had a good time is what makes it special for me."
