Even if I’m a Brooklyn girl at heart, Queens will always have a special place in my heart. It’s easily one of the most fascinating and diverse neighborhoods in the city, even the country. One of the most interesting neighborhoods is Jackson Heights, an immigrant-dominated neighborhood where Latin and Asian cultures collide. That of course means that Jackson Heights and neighboring Elmhurst is home to some of the most exciting food options in all of New York. I recently came across an article that shared some of the best food spots in the neighborhood. Here’s what they had to say:
Tibetan dumplings: The area off the Roosevelt Avenue subway hosts authentic Himalayan: try and get “momo” dumplings from places such as Phayul and Amdo Kitchen. These are fat steamed dumplings, traditionally filled with beef wrapped in thicker skin than traditional Chinese dumplings. Both Phayul and Amdo are extremely cheap spots, where you can get a big plate of dumplings for under $10.
Arepas: Jackson Heights is home to one of the most legendary street food spots in the city: the Arepa Lady. While the Arepa Lady was traditionally hard to find (which was part of the fun), she’s since built a brick-and-mortar restaurant to make the whole search easier.
Tortas: Mexican food is more known for its tacos, but Mexican sandwiches, or “tortas”, are arguably better, jam-packed with all sorts of ingredients that create an explosion of flavor. Plenty of food trucks make great tortas, but my favorites are at Tortas Neza in nearby Corona, run by a rabid soccer fan who named every sandwich on the menu after soccer teams in his native Mexico.
Thai: The Thai food in Elmhurst is a level of authentic that the pad thai in Greenwich Village will never reach. As the center of the densest Thai community in New York, you’ll hear a lot more Thai than English in the restaurants of Elmhurst. The best one is Khao Kang, where the food feels like true authentic home cooking.
Dessert: If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then don’t worry, I got you covered. The Sugar Club is a Thai grocery in Elmhurst that offers traditional Thai sweets such as sweet dried bananas. There’s also “honey toast” made from thick slabs of white bread slathered with butter and condensed milk.
Maria Haymandou 