Eric's Queens Favorites
Food scene
Here are some of the gems where you would find me in Queens.
A classic Cuban eatery serving an exceptional arroz con pollo. If you think it's a pedestrian dish, you'll change your mind after trying this one.
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Rincon Criollo
40-09 Junction BoulevardA classic Cuban eatery serving an exceptional arroz con pollo. If you think it's a pedestrian dish, you'll change your mind after trying this one.
Ali is not only a great creative chef, he's quite the entertainer in his tiny cafe. It's an actual Egyptian restaurant, not a sandwich and coffee place. The lamb brains (if he has them) are heavenly. Bourdain will concur.
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Kabab Cafe
25-12 Steinway StAli is not only a great creative chef, he's quite the entertainer in his tiny cafe. It's an actual Egyptian restaurant, not a sandwich and coffee place. The lamb brains (if he has them) are heavenly. Bourdain will concur.
It's not Indian, and it's not your regular Chinese joint, but an Indian-Chinese restaurant like you would find in Kolkata. Try any of the dishes with the Manchurian style sauce, and ask for light gravy.
Tangra Masala
87-09 Grand AveIt's not Indian, and it's not your regular Chinese joint, but an Indian-Chinese restaurant like you would find in Kolkata. Try any of the dishes with the Manchurian style sauce, and ask for light gravy.
There are a ton of places to get Mexican food in Queens, but this longtime institution is still churning out some of the best al pastor tacos, and their Puebla specialties are solid. The lengua is also highly recommended.
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Taqueria Coatzingo
7605 Roosevelt AveThere are a ton of places to get Mexican food in Queens, but this longtime institution is still churning out some of the best al pastor tacos, and their Puebla specialties are solid. The lengua is also highly recommended.
This little takeout spot churns out some of the tastiest food from the subcontinent. The steam table fare is usually popular, but I'm a fan of the bihari kababs, but the easiest, most portable items are their kabab rolls, wrapped in freshly baked nan.
Kababish
70-64 BroadwayThis little takeout spot churns out some of the tastiest food from the subcontinent. The steam table fare is usually popular, but I'm a fan of the bihari kababs, but the easiest, most portable items are their kabab rolls, wrapped in freshly baked nan.
One of the better Argentine steakhouses in Queens. And probably the best bargain in a no frills dining room. My go-to item is the entraña steak. Bien jugosa.
La Esquina Criolla
94-67 Corona Ave.One of the better Argentine steakhouses in Queens. And probably the best bargain in a no frills dining room. My go-to item is the entraña steak. Bien jugosa.
There are plenty of Thai restaurants in the area around Woodside and Elmhurst, but this longtime institution excels with their panang curry, crispy watercress salad, and the crispy pork.
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SriPraPhai
64-13 39th AveThere are plenty of Thai restaurants in the area around Woodside and Elmhurst, but this longtime institution excels with their panang curry, crispy watercress salad, and the crispy pork.
This Balkan specialty shop serves up signature bureks, baked phyllo dough wraps. But don't forget to get one of their meat sandwiches, like the cevapi sausage sandwich.
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Djerdan Burek Astoria
34-04 31st AveThis Balkan specialty shop serves up signature bureks, baked phyllo dough wraps. But don't forget to get one of their meat sandwiches, like the cevapi sausage sandwich.
There are several Greek taverns in the neighborhood that specialize in grilled seafood, and Telly's might be the most underrated.
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Telly's Taverna
28-13 23rd AveThere are several Greek taverns in the neighborhood that specialize in grilled seafood, and Telly's might be the most underrated.
This quaint Greek restaurant serves up some Cypriot specialties worth seeking out. I've never been disappointed with anything from their daily specials.
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Aliada
2919 BroadwayThis quaint Greek restaurant serves up some Cypriot specialties worth seeking out. I've never been disappointed with anything from their daily specials.
Arguably the best Malaysian restaurant in NYC. The Hainan chicken rice alone is worth the visit.
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Taste Good
8218 45th AveArguably the best Malaysian restaurant in NYC. The Hainan chicken rice alone is worth the visit.
This Elmhurst mainstay is where you'll find anyone homesick for good Taiwanese cooking.
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Taiwanese Gourmet
8402 BroadwayThis Elmhurst mainstay is where you'll find anyone homesick for good Taiwanese cooking.
Some of the best bang for your buck food in NYC. Nothing but dumplings and noodles.
Lao Bei Fang Dumpling House
83-05 BroadwaySome of the best bang for your buck food in NYC. Nothing but dumplings and noodles.
This Peruvian restaurant specializes in roast chicken, and it's definitely worth it, but I will usually supplement that with an order of Jalea, the giant fried seafood plate big enough to feed the entire family.
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Pio Pio
84-02 Northern BlvdThis Peruvian restaurant specializes in roast chicken, and it's definitely worth it, but I will usually supplement that with an order of Jalea, the giant fried seafood plate big enough to feed the entire family.
This slightly out of the way Korean BBQ restaurant is worth finding in this residential section of Flushing. Luckily you can get here easily on the LIRR, at Murray Hill station.
Mapo
149-24 41st AveThis slightly out of the way Korean BBQ restaurant is worth finding in this residential section of Flushing. Luckily you can get here easily on the LIRR, at Murray Hill station.
This place makes a very unique Venezuelan sandwich, using fried plantains as the bread.
Patacon Pisao
85-22 Grand AveThis place makes a very unique Venezuelan sandwich, using fried plantains as the bread.
This cavernous Korean restaurant serves up all kinds of seafood. You can get a good Instagram video trying the live octopus.
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Sik Gaek
49-11 Roosevelt AveThis cavernous Korean restaurant serves up all kinds of seafood. You can get a good Instagram video trying the live octopus.
A classic German eatery serving big plates of schnitzel and sausages, and of course, big steins of lager.
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Zum Stammtisch
69-46 Myrtle AveA classic German eatery serving big plates of schnitzel and sausages, and of course, big steins of lager.
Sweet Yummy House
83-13 BroadwaySolid Sichuan restaurant in Elmhurst.
Great little place in Ridgewood to get Bosnian style sandwiches, including the pljescavica burgers and cevapi sausage sandwich.
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Bosna Express
791 Fairview AveGreat little place in Ridgewood to get Bosnian style sandwiches, including the pljescavica burgers and cevapi sausage sandwich.
Not as well-known as the other famous NYC shops, but they make one of the better pies in the city.
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Nick's Pizza
1814 2nd AveNot as well-known as the other famous NYC shops, but they make one of the better pies in the city.
A very unique Uzbek Kosher restaurant serving a mixture of Russian and central Asian cuisines. The lamb kababs are where the action is. Try the lamb fat kabab.
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Cheburechnaya
9209 63rd DrA very unique Uzbek Kosher restaurant serving a mixture of Russian and central Asian cuisines. The lamb kababs are where the action is. Try the lamb fat kabab.
Besides all the mouthwatering sweets, this is my favorite spot for chaats and dosas, and other vegetarian Indian specialties.
Maharaja Sweets
7310 37th AveBesides all the mouthwatering sweets, this is my favorite spot for chaats and dosas, and other vegetarian Indian specialties.
After decades of serving wonderful Colombian style arepas at nights from a cart on Roosevelt Ave, there's finally a brick and mortar shop with an expanded menu of arepas and other items. Still, the arepa de queso and the arepa de chocolo are the things to get.
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Arepa Lady
77-17 37th AveAfter decades of serving wonderful Colombian style arepas at nights from a cart on Roosevelt Ave, there's finally a brick and mortar shop with an expanded menu of arepas and other items. Still, the arepa de queso and the arepa de chocolo are the things to get.
This Uruguayan steakhouse is an institution in the neighborhood. Besides the steaks, the namesake Chivito sandwich is a must eat.
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El Chivito D'Oro
84-02 37th AveThis Uruguayan steakhouse is an institution in the neighborhood. Besides the steaks, the namesake Chivito sandwich is a must eat.
Great little Indonesian restaurant nestled in a residential section of Woodside.
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Upi Jaya
76-04 Woodside AveGreat little Indonesian restaurant nestled in a residential section of Woodside.
Great casual Turkish eatery for doner and other kababs, as well as the pide breads and pizzas.
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Mangal Kebab
46-20 Queens BlvdGreat casual Turkish eatery for doner and other kababs, as well as the pide breads and pizzas.
Souk El Shater
43-03 Queens BlvdMiddle eastern deli serving steam table items, shawarma, and kababs.
This offshoot of the old-school LIC Italian restaurant specializes in pizzas, arguably some of the best in the borough.
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Manducatis Rustica V.I.G Gelateria/Pizzeria
46-35 Vernon BlvdThis offshoot of the old-school LIC Italian restaurant specializes in pizzas, arguably some of the best in the borough.
The most unlikely place to find high-quality French pastries in the middle of a shopping square. Great croissants and French standards.
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Cannelle Patisserie
7559 31st AveThe most unlikely place to find high-quality French pastries in the middle of a shopping square. Great croissants and French standards.