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The $1 Skewer Craze Hits Midtown at Chubby Skewers
May 1, 2025, 4:36.58 pm ET

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Photos: Cititour.com

There’s a new sizzle on West 37th Street—and it’s coming from the city’s hottest new spot for DIY grilling. Chubby Skewers, the first U.S. outpost of China’s wildly popular 幸福小串 (which translates to “Happiness Skewers”), has landed in Midtown Manhattan, transforming a once-quiet block into a full-blown flavor destination.





Skewers start at just $1, drawing curious passersby and savvy foodies alike into the lively, neon-lit space where Northeastern Chinese barbecue takes center stage. The menu is a choose-your-own-adventure: diners grab their own skewers—from tiny grilled fish and marinated shrimp to chicken claws, pork belly, and Wagyu beef—then fire them up at tabletop grills. Prefer a bit of pampering? Snag a seat at the bar, where a chef cooks the skewers and delivers them to your personal grill, hot and ready.

It’s smoky, festive, and unmistakably fun. But this isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a love letter to Dongbei street food culture. With over 100 locations across China, Chubby Skewers blends authenticity with a cheeky, youth-driven vibe and the brand’s signature motto: “Toast to Happiness, Look Forward to a Beautiful Life.” For New Yorkers, that starts at $1 a stick—and a table full of friends ready to feast.

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