Teremok: Fast Food in Russia and NYC

Update: Teremok is apparently also in NYC now, which I noticed from the two Twitter accounts. I'll have to give the NYC branch a try when I'm back in the U.S.

I'm not a fan of fast food. While it's true we do occasionally go to Shake Shack in NYC, I don't care for the regular burgers and always wind up getting a mushroom burger. But there is one fast food place I enjoy, which is in Russia: Teremok. There are a number of locations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and while no one will confuse its offerings with high end Russian cuisine or even the best homemade versions, there's a lot to like about it.

1. Made to Order Blini with Many Fillings

You don't have to worry about any pre-made blini here; it's made to order in front of you. My favorites are with smoked salmon, sour cream and herbs, or with mushrooms, but you can also choose from fillings of ground beef, cabbage and egg, mozzarella, red caviar, and other savory and sweet blini fillings. You can pretty much design your own from the option to add various fillings.

2. Quintessentially Russian Comfort Foods

In addition to blini, Teremok offers Russian comfort foods such as borscht, pelmeni and my own favorite, syrniki (thick farmers cheese cakes). While you'll undoubtedly taste better versions of these in higher end restaurants, Teremok offers value, with all of these in the $3-4 or less range.

2. Healthy Salads and Buckwheat

I haven't personally tried the salads because I'm always tempted to go with one of Teremok's core offerings, blini, but the salad offerings include one with beets and smoked salmon, a “vitamin” one with tomatoes, cucumbers, pinenuts and herbs, among others.

And you can order a plain side of buckwheat, or make it a main course with the addition of cabbage and egg, chicken, pork, ham and cheese, etc.

3. Gluten-Free Offerings

While I don't have a gluten allergy, I have clients and friends who do, and it can be hard to find enough variety at many fast food restaurants. Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free, and Teremok has several options, as well as salads.

4. Clean and Nicer Decor Than the Average Burger Joint

At least all the Teremoks I've been in have been very clean, and the one I've been to a couple times this past week has a nicer decor than Shake Shack, let alone the average McDonalds or Burger King.