By J. Davis

One of the greatest joys of living in Queens is to journey through its neighborhoods and  enjoy the foods and cultures of the diverse ethnic groups that have their new homes here.

In some areas there is a predominance of just one type of food, but most areas have a mix of all the favorite popular cuisines and types of eating establishments.

As waves of ethnic groups move through a neighborhood, they establish and leave behind a taste for their kind of food or eating establishment. Somewhere in Queens — and frequently not too far apart — establishments offer services ranging from takeouts to elegant sit-downs to catering for dishes from hamburger, pizza and sandwiches to Canard A’ la Orange and Sirloin Steak. Without traveling very far you can find cuisine from Italy, Ireland, Germany, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Mexico and many South American countries.

Queens was originally inhabited by the Algonquin Indians. They were followed by Dutch and English settlers. Then waves of ethnic groups moved through leaving their customs and food preferences as a permanent legacy in many Queens neighborhoods. Start your dining track at the East River the community now known as Astoria and you’ll begin with authentic Greek cuisine.

Dining out with flash and fire at Queens curry houses. Tribune Photo by J. Davis

Astoria was founded in 1811 and named for John Jacob Astor, a financier and fur trader from Germany. It became and remains the home of Steinway Pianos. Kaufman Studios and many manufacturing firms made it a growing hub of resident workers from Italy, Ireland and, more recently, Greece. A ferry to Manhattan, and later bridges and trains, made it easy for commuters to live in their own comfortable cultural pocket and enjoy their favorite foods. Ethnic Greeks are now leaving Astoria to move further out on Long Island, but Greek restaurants and Greek supermarkets still attract many customers.

Favorite Astoria haunts for Greek cuisine are Uncle George’s Greek Tavern – which is open all night – at 33-19 Broadway and Elias’ Corner at 24-02 31st for some of the freshest seafood in Queens.

The neighborhoods of Sunnyside and Woodside have become home to a large number of Irish brogues, and more than one pub skilled in the art of pouring the perfect pint of Guiness. Among the outstanding pubs worth a stop is Bloom’s at 41-28 Queens Blvd. If it’s an Irish breakfast you’re craving, Queens readers recommend the Stop Inn Diner  at 60-22 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside.

Jackson Heights was once known for its garden condos . . .  for which the term “garden apartment” was coined. But as the neighborhood developed and straddled both Northern Boulevard and the #7 train tracks, it attracted many residents seeking housing less costly than Manhattan. Among other ethnic groups, Indians are well represented with their many shops and restaurants.

But Jackson Heights has also become home to touches of Argentine and Colombian culture, so for an authentic bite of South America, it is becoming a popular stop.

Little Korea

Bakers share their international buns at shops throughout Queens, like Salernos Pastry in Flushing. Tribune Photo by J. Davis

Flushing, at the end of the #7 train tracks, is a transportation hub for people going elsewhere as well as for residents and businesses of many different ethnic preferences. Flushing was named for Vlissingen in the Netherlands and is now known world wide as the site of two world fairs, Shea Stadium, LaGuardia Airport and home of the US Tennis Open. Many German-Jewish refugees settled in Flushing and were later replaced by people from other nations seeking religious freedom, for which it is historically famous. More recent residents of Flushing are from Russia, Taiwan, Korea and mainland China as well as ethnic Chinese from Southeast Asian countries. The cuisines available in Flushing reflect this ethnic movement.

Flushing has a multitude as the hub of  international cuisine has a myriad of places to eat or dine that fit every pocketbook and occasion. Some local favorites include: GBL at 135-28 40th Road, specializing in authentic dumplings and steamed buns; Penang at 38-04 Prince Street featuring Malaysian dishes; and East Buffet at 42-01 Main Street combining Chinese, Japanese and international cuisine.

The vacation you’ve been putting off could be closer than you think with a brief drive to Jamaica – the neighborhood – and the chance to enjoy the foods of Jamaica – the country.

From jerk chicken to goat, the tastes of the islands have found themselves a new place to reside in Southeastern Queens; the small storefronts of St. Albans, Laurelton and  Jamaica are busy with the taste that can take you away from the work-a-day.

Whitestone and College Point are twin communities connected by 14th Avenue. Both of their varied ethnic backgrounds are reflected by their eating establishments.

Almost anything from German and Italian restaurants to takeout Chinese and Japanese Sushi bars can be found along their main streets. Be sure to check out: The Whitehouse, at 10-24 154th Street, where you can celebrate American presidents and American cuisine; Whitestone Diner & Restaurant at 149-21 14th Ave., featuring American comfort foods and Greek specialties;  Keilly’s Chinese Restaurant at 21-40 Utopia Parkway and at 132-13A 14th Ave., which has the best in classic takeout food; Messa Luna at 122-02 149th Street, a family operated Italian restaurant with excellent pasta dishes and wine from their own old-country vineyard; or Master Grill Churrascaria at 34-09 College Point Blvd., featuring elaborate buffet tables and many meats from the Brazilian BBQ pit.

Any list of restaurants is inexhaustible, so no matter which area in Queens you visit there will be an eating spot to suit your taste and your pocketbook.

If driving is not your dining pleasure, sit back and travel in true Queens style... on the #7 Train. The Queens Council on the Arts publication “The International Express” highlights the ethnic neighborhoods all down the line, as well as some of the ethnic foods and shops you might like to visit. Log on to www.queenscouncilarts.org for the map and listing, or call the Council to find a copy at 647-3377.

No culinary travel through the most ethnically diverse borough on earth could be complete without a stop at the Lemon Ice King of Corona at 52-02 108th Street and then enjoying leisurely licks while watching the bocci ball players at William F. Moore Park on 108th Street and 51st Ave. Decorated with strings of colorful lights and even more colorful long-time neighborhood fixtures, a step into what is affectionately called “Spaghetti Park” by Queens natives is a moment to sit back and enjoy the Italian flavor on a hot summer’s night.

Bon Appetit!

— Tamara Hartman contributed to this article