What You Want Is What You Get In Queens

By J. Davis

The Census Bureau has chosen Queens for field tests for the 2010 Census because of its great diversity . . . a fact proven by the borough’s tastes in food long before the Census Bureau started crunching numbers.

Each of the countries represented in Queens brings its own type of cuisine and enriches the borough’s community. Somewhere in one of the many neighborhoods of the borough, there are eateries featuring native cuisine of some predominant population, served just as it is in the old country.

Think of a country or region and Queens probably has a neighborhood with the food that people from there prefer. The borough certainly has foods from the continents of Africa, South America, Europe and Asia as well as countries such as Greece, England, Ireland, France and Turkey. From the Far East, it has imported cuisines from Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and the South Pacific, including Australia.

China is the originating country of one of Queens’ most popular imported cuisines and is a favorite when residents think takeout.

Chinese cooking is a 4,000 year old art that includes more than the Americanized “Chop Suey” and “Chow Mein.” There are the truly authentic cuisines of Cantonese, Szechuan and Hunan cooking — each with its different sauces and spices.

Italy is another country with a long-time presence in the Queens culinary scene. In Italy, pastas with a variety of sauces are just one of many courses and not the main entrée. Also from Italy comes the ubiquitous pizza in various forms, Italian desserts and pastries, as well as gelatos. Don’t forget, pizza (regular or Sicilian) and related dishes can be brought to a customer’s door on demand by one of the numerous local servers.

Ireland contributed some of its favorite foods to the local pubs and restaurants with offerings beyond Corned Beef and Cabbage and Irish Coffee. A  true British/Irish breakfast from porridge to kippers is a fine way
to start the day. It’s available in many eateries around the borough, but the best place to start is Sunnyside or Woodside.

German restaurants in Queens are enjoyed for wursts, noodles, dumplings and game dishes such as venison and goose. Clustering around Ridgewood with a smattering in  College Point, their cuisine offers hardy fare as the weather turns colder.

From the Greek Isles, Queens enjoys spit-roasted meats, a classic salad and well-known appetizers like Taramosalata. Greek restaurants are also famous for their fresh seafood and small mezes (appetizers), as well as filled Phyllo pastries.

The cuisine of Turkey is represented by kababs, lamb and eggplant specialties.

Spain is well represented at the eating locations of Queens by the classic Paella, varied rice dishes, Tapas and Sangria.  Also to be found are many Spanish-influenced foods and dishes imported from Mexico, South America and Central America.  From Empanadas to Charrasco, meats and potatoes are important in Spanish/Indian/Portuguese/African cooking.

And don’t be surprised to witness a mixing of cultures when Asian entreneurs open up Tex-Mex stops or when Italian and Hispanic favorites share the same menu.

Japanese and Korean restaurants have proliferated in the borough. Sushi and Sashimi are popular, as are Bento boxes, which contain complete meals. The Korean Banchan (small side dishes such as kimchee, white radishes etc.) accompany cook-at-the-table meats.

Malaysia and Thailand are represented in Queens by their unique cuisines featuring seafood, coconut, lemon grass and ginger in many of their dishes.

Mexican restaurants offer great corn products from Tortillas, Enchiladas and Tacos to Chili Con Carne and Ceviche. The borough also has Tex-Mex restaurants increasing in number in the borough.

Representing the cuisine of various parts of the United States, restaurants influenced by the styles of New Orleans, New England, and Pennsylvania Dutch are plenty and many of these cuisines can be found in diners.

Kosher foods from many countries range from Borscht to Kreplach and  from Gefilite Fish to Latkas. All are available nearby. Don’t forget the Pastrami on Rye sandwich. Delicatessens are also great sources for prepared foods from many countries.

In Queens, residents can eat their way around the world and never go far from home.

Ready To Make A Gourmet Meal?
Go Shopping!

By J. Davis

Interested in shopping for ethnic food?

Want to create your own version of the vegetarian Chinese Buddha’s Delight?

Prepare your own Korean Kimchee?

Spice up your own curry mix?

Find grape leaves, coffee or tea from the home country or sweets that are holiday specials? 

Read on for a few suggestions and check our Anniversary dining section for spots to shop and places to free yourself from cooking burdens. Whatever you want, you can find it in Queens!

SUNNYSIDE

Massis at 45-26 43rd Ave. has Middle Eastern, Armenian and Romanian gourmet foods and coffee as well as cassettes of Middle East music, drums and Romanian newspapers.

Sunny Grocery at 45-26 43rd Ave. has Turkish specialties, canned goods, pastries, coffee and other Turkish delights.

WOODSIDE

Shanes Bakery at 39-61 61st St. has Irish baked goods and also offers a full Irish breakfast. Check the sausage rolls, scones, soda farls, and other specialties baked on the premises.

Phil-Am Foodmart at 70-02 Roosevelt Ave. has Filipino prepared food and groceries. They sell items for a multi-cultural cuisine ranging from fermented fish sauce (patis) to palm vinegar.

JACKSON HEIGHTS

Jackson Heights has numerous Indian stores selling items such as saris and imported 24K jewelry.

Patel Brothers has a supermarket at 37-27 74th St. Also at 42-79 Main St. you will find coconuts, a variety of fresh vegetables as well as beans and lentils, essential rices and the many spices used to make your own curry and yogurt for your lassi and other Indian dishes.

Shasheen at 72-09 Broadway features famed Indian sweets: Mitha (sugar, milk and nuts) and the Pakistan famed Jalebi (honey filled pretzel-shaped confections) and other special holiday goodies.

Food Bazaar at 34-20 Junction Blvd. is a supermarket featuring many items for Caribbean, Mexican and South American cooking. Here you will find yerba mate, yucca, goat meat, shark steaks and octopus as well as Mexican cheeses, arepas and corn tortillas.

CORONA PARK

Salumeria at 107-22 Corona Ave. has imported Italian items including salami, prosciutto and other meats as well as all the makings for antipasti platters.

CORONA

La Espiga Bakery at 42-13 102nd St. has Mexican bakery products, groceries and made-on-the-premises tortillas. They have satellite dishes for watching Mexican sports, news and music.

FLUSHING

A & N Food Market at 41-79 Main St. has a large selection of canned and dried Chinese foods and cookware (Woks, rice cookers etc.).

Shun An Tong Health Herbal Co. at 135-24 Roosevelt Ave. is oldest herbal medicine shop in Flushing. There is a doctor on the premises for diagnosis. You can watch as some of the mixtures are prepared using ingredients such as ginseng, shark’s fin, and dried seahorse.

Ariana at 42-49 Main St. is an Halal (ritually slaughtered meat) butcher shop which also has dried fruits, spices and packaged goods.

Korean Town at the Assi Plaza 131-01 39th Ave. is a huge supermarket with prepared Korean specialties, cookware and a snack bar. Here you can find all the ingredients for Kim Chee or buy it already made.

Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co. at 135-18 Roosevelt Ave. has an incredible array of teas from oolong to jasmine. They give frequent demonstrations of the classic tea ceremony. You will be surprised by how many forms of ginseng are available. Popular “Bubble Drinks” are available at a bar near the entrance.

Han Ah Reum at 156-40 Northern Blvd. (Murray Hill Shopping Center) has a large display of fresh vegetables and fruits including lemon grass, winter melon and daikon.

Live fish are displayed in aerated tanks. In the aisles are canned and frozen foods, cookware, video and everything you could want for an Asian meal. A deli section has cooked-to-go dishes.