Like Eating In Mexico
Veyta’s Bakery Café
35-58 97th St., Corona
(718) 898-0058
CUISINE: Mexican
HOURS: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
DELIVERY: Yes
CREDIT CARDS: No
Growing up with a mother from Mexico, some of my favorite dishes growing up came from south of the border. As such, I’ve always been a little picky about going to eat at Mexican restaurants. More often than not, the food was not up to the standard set by my mother.
On a whim I decided to stop in to Veyta’s, a corner café in Corona, one weekend when I was craving Mexican food. After just one taste, it quickly became one of my favorite places to go when I didn’t feel like cooking.
If you’re looking for an elaborate façade, Veyta’s may not be the place for you. While some Mexican-themed decorations hang on the walls, the restaurant is somewhat plain compared to some other more flamboyant Mexican restaurants that look to hit you over the head with the fact that they are Mexican restaurants. But the ordinary appearance actually helps with the authenticity. The décor doesn’t distract from the food, which is the main draw.
About midway through the first meal I had there with my parents, they both agreed that eating at Veyta’s was the closest thing to eating in Mexico they’ve experienced in the United States.
The best part of the experience of eating at Veyta’s is the authenticity. The first time my parents visited me in Queens, I took them to the café. They both raved about how it felt like they were eating in a restaurant in Mexico. Whenever they come through the borough now, I can count on walking across the street for a great Mexican meal.
Easily my favorite dish on the menu is the chilequiles – a plate of corn chips cooked in either a green or red salsa. Diners can choose to add two fried eggs, beef and chicken to the serving for an even more filling meal. I’ll admit to ordering the chilequiles on more than one occasion. Every time I’ve ordered the dish, though, the plate has had a different presentation. Not once, however, did it ever disappoint.
While I rarely stray from the chilequiles verdes con huevos y carne, the menu is filled with traditional Mexican fare that has delighted every time I’ve gone with guests.
If you have room after your meal, look to the wall by the door. The wide selection of traditional Mexican pastries – combined with the desserts behind the counter – will satisfy any sweet tooth (Veyta’s is, after all, a bakery as well). My favorite treat to bring home is the orejas, a flaky, sweetened pastry made to look like ears.
If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican experience, you can’t do much better.
–Steven J. Ferrari