STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island recently welcomed an unusual visitor: Nuggs, the AI-generated, talking chicken nugget behind the popular TikTok series “Nuggs Around the World.”
In the series, Nuggs visits neighborhoods all around New York City and makes stops in North and South New Jersey, New Orleans and the Dominican Republic, among other places.
For the Staten Island tour, dressed in Nike sneakers, jeans and Wu-Tang Clan T-shirts, the animated food influencer (@nuggsaroundtheworld) spent several videos exploring the borough’s North Shore, Mid-Island and South Shore, highlighting everything from immigrant communities and historic landmarks to neighborhood eateries, stunning natural environments and hidden gems for his more than 12,000 followers.
North Shore
The tour began on the North Shore, where, after pushing his way through rude crowds exiting the Staten Island Ferry, Nuggs stopped at Staten Island’s Postcards 9/11 memorial, encouraging viewers to pay their respects to the Staten Islanders killed in the terrorist attacks.
From there, the focus shifted to food and culture. Nuggs sampled dishes at several North Shore restaurants, including Shaw-nae’s House, The Hop Shop, Brothers Pizzeria and NB Soul Food. Along the way, he highlighted the area’s diverse immigrant communities, describing Park Hill as “Little Liberia” and noting that Port Richmond was shaped by generations of immigrants and is now home to a large Mexican and Latino population.
His North Shore observations were mixed with humor, including a joke about avoiding the unreliable elevators at West Brighton Houses.
Mid-Island
In Mid-Island, Nuggs found a different side of Staten Island.
The tour featured stops at Historic Richmond Town, which he described as “like stepping back in time,” and the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, which he called one of the Island’s “coolest hidden gems.”
The trip also explored the borough’s natural spaces, including High Rock Park and the Staten Island Greenbelt, while touching on its more complicated history at the site of the former Willowbrook State School.
Food remained central to the journey, with visits to Taste of India, Little Kitchen, Tommy’s Tavern and Royal Crown Bakery, where Nuggs sampled the bakery’s famous chocolate bread.
South Shore
The South Shore tour focused largely on challenging Staten Island stereotypes and showcasing places many outsiders may not associate with New York City.
Among the stops were Wolf’s Pond Park, where he marveled at finding a beach, Lemon Creek Park’s marshes and wildlife, the historic Seguine Mansion and Mount Loretto’s sweeping waterfront views.
“We got range,” Nuggs remarked after showing off the borough’s open spaces.
The South Shore food tour included Anthony’s Paninoteca, Cafe Gianna, and Angelina’s Kitchen, where he joked that he might need another paycheck before becoming a regular at the pricey dining spot.
During a stop in Great Kills. he noted that the town produced comedian Pete Davidson. “Sorry, Hollywood,” Nuggs deadpans.
By the end of the series, Nuggs had presented Staten Island as a borough far more diverse than many people realize, using food, history and local culture to highlight the distinct character of each region.
“And that officially wraps up Staten Island,” Nuggs said at the conclusion of the tour. “Now y’all tell me where we going next.”