food suggestions for a weekend in queens to see the mets...
seriouseater from rochester heading to queens (between corona and forest hills i think) to take in a few games at citifield this weekend. i've been trying to compile a list of food destinations in the (semi-)immediate area and looking for any suggestions from the natives.
what i'm thinking so far.
1)leo's latticini for the turkey, mozz, and gravy sandwich (as noted in one of ed's posts as a life changing experience) and possibly a meatball parm if available
2)Tortilleria Nixtamal (supposedly right around the corner and making their fresh masa.
3)nick's pizza in forest hills
...aside from the shack burger i'm eagerly awaiting at citi field thats pretty much all i've got.
any suggestions or "must try's" in the area from all the authentic new yorkers?
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12 Comments:
I'll be there too this weekend, so I'm eager to see what suggestions people give you.
annabanannas at 6:46PM on 08/17/09
Parkside Restaurant in Corona
read the reviews in Yelp....
Italiancupcake at 7:11PM on 08/17/09
Flushing! Go to Flushing!
kathryn at 9:55PM on 08/17/09
You should go to Tortilleria Nixtamal in Corona, and make sure to get some yummy carnitas!
ngarklav at 9:31AM on 08/18/09
Boon Chu (thai) and Lin's Taiwanese in Elmhurst! Yummy!
Gastro888 at 9:51AM on 08/18/09
Parkside is Corona is excellent, but a little pricey.
For a very reasonable, casual and family friendly (they welcome little kids, if this is a consideration) t-shirt and jeans after the game option, check out Pio Pio in Jackson Heights for great Peruvian BBQ chicken and seafood (there's nothing else on the menu, however, but lots of great sides):
http://www.piopionyc.com/
There's also one in Rego Park, but there isn't as much seating - it's more a take out type of place.
The Jackson Diner or Delhi Palace on 74th St. in Jackson Heights are great choices if you're in the mood for Indian food.
Don Peppe at the bottom of Lefferts Boulevard (I'll guess it's Howard Beach) - if you're on the "love it" side of the sharing debate. It's a great red sauce, no menus, family style, place - it could have been a set for a time warp scene in "The Sopranos." I'm allergic to shellfish, but everyone raves about the scampi and stuffed shrimp. It's easy to park.
Spicy & Tasty in Flushing for Sichuan (warning - it's hard to park at the other options (as it is in almost all Queens), except for Parkside, which has valet parking - here it's an Xtreme challenge, but if you're in the mood, the food is worth it.)
Shin Po in Flushing - Korean, exceptional dumplings. Another Xtreme parking challenge that's worth it.
Sala Bar & Grill on Northern Boulevard in Bayside/Flushing - good Greek food, reasonable prices + specials. Easy to park and they have a big lot. It's in a very nicely decorated former grand residence from the days when Queens was an exurb - if it's not too hot, they have a lovely outdoor dining area too.
Ben's Deli in Rego Park for old-fashioned NY Jewish deli.
I think Nick's is overrated. I found it similar to Two Boots, and I'm not crazy about a burnt crust overloaded with cornmeal.
MMinNYC at 11:50AM on 08/18/09
Bring me some Zweigles and Boss Sauce!
bobbob at 11:59AM on 08/18/09
Def go to flushing. If you want the real deal Korean BBQ, go to Jang Tuh Sutbulgi on 37th street, right off Main St. Easy street parking. They have real hardwood coals to cook over, not the namby pamby gas burner crap. Get the Kalbi. They'll try to upsell you shrimp but don't bother. Get the Kalbi. Get the Kalbi.
simon at 2:33PM on 08/18/09
Dosa Hutt in Flushing is great, too. No one else makes a better dosa or mango lassi. YUM!
@MMinNYC: Do you db for Xtreme NY?
Gastro888 at 3:43PM on 08/18/09
wow, thanks to everyone for the great suggestions (and keep them coming).
as if i don't already spend enough of my workday wandering aimlessly through the food blogosphere and lusting over food porn... this trip and thread have sent my food related bandwith usage through the roof.
any street vendors of not in the corona, forest hills, flushing area??? (we call it all "street meat" in the ROC)
@bobbob- i could never transport boss sauce accross the monroe county line, i'm a country sweet man.
ardubs81 at 5:34PM on 08/18/09
There's the famous Arepa Lady by Roosevelt Avenue & 79th Street in Jackson Heights. She's been written up on Serious Eats, the NY Times, and I think NY Mag and Time Out NY. She's there till late on Friday and Saturday nights. There are many, many carts crowding the area, but only one is the real Arepa Lady - don't waste your time, money and tastebuds on the others. See if you can check out the times she's there if you're going to a night game during the week.
Check out the finalists for the Street Vendor Awards for other ideas:
http://streetvendor.org/vendys/
I forgot to mention before - for a great Russian/Bukharan experience, try
Cheburechnaya on 63rd Drive in Forest Hills/Rego Park (the neighborhood is fondly known as Regostan) - excellent, super-cheap chebureks. Outstanding Ghost lamb dumplings and any of the lamb kebabs. Good soups/stews. Be sure to check the English menu before you order if you're slightly faint of heart, there are some delicacies made with testicles, etc. They are glatt kosher and closed for the Sabbath Friday after sundown till Saturday sunset.
Bahar on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst has great Afghan food, also great prices.
The few street vendors in Forest Hills all suck, IMHO. If you like Thai food, Q Thai (on Ascan Ave. near Austin St.) is good, though trendy and expensive. I also like the very inexpensive, casual, family owned Bangkok Thai on 70th Road between Austin St. and Queens Blvd.
MMinNYC at 6:51PM on 08/18/09
Don Peppes is in South Ozone Park- between Howard Beach and JFK airport- it's one of our faves- baked clams, eggplant rollatini, spaghetti with white clam, shrimp luciano and chicken scarpiello- tons of garlic, flavor and old school atmosphere (the waiters, clientele & kitchen- not the decor).
We love Nicks and there is NO cornmeal on those thin crust pizzas- it's pricey for pizza but definitely worth it.
Joe's Shanghai for soup dumplings.
Agree with Spicy Tasty 100%.
Sriphaphai in Woodside for the best Thai in MY.
deefine at 10:04PM on 08/18/09