Jim, I nominate you for the MacArthur grant. Great stuff, great help and now you've gone and ruined the rest of my work day by making me daydream of good comida. God, do I love Queens.
Jim, Did you try the churros in front of Ria Envía, I believe. I think it's at 85th? It's the only place around that makes fresh churros, and there is a world of difference. He's also got other things on the cart that I've never tried.
Darn it I wish I could give you a location for the elusive cocada seller; but I haven't been able to find her again. I have asked in a couple of places on 37th Avenue and they all said this seller moves around between Roosevelt and 37th Avenues somewhere in the 80s.
How are you determining what's shlock? Have you actually tried all the other carts at 82nd and Roosevelt? That's some serious determination (although I suppose not surprising).
Does your map concentrate on the east just for the sake of choosing a theme, or because the carts are better there, or because the carts are non-existent further west? I had lunch at Coatzingo today, so firstly it's a weekday and secondly it was around 1pm and it seems many carts come out at night... but I only noticed one cart on Roosevelt, perhaps a block from the subway, selling tacos & tortas. Is that typical?
The carts are more dense further east. I do like the flor de calabaza quesadillas and pandebonos at 82nd and Roosevelt though. Oh and the elotes.
Thanks for bumping my favorite post ever. The cart by the subway is eh. Further down is a glorious utopia of street food which stretches in dense patches from 82nd St onward with some before.
Glad you found her, Jim. The times I've been past there, no one was there so I couldn't ask the hours. I know they're not world class, but they are the best I've had here in New York. Now, back in Madrid, we'd go to little cafés starting at 5 a.m. for chocolate con churros. That chocolate was as think as pudding. It was a delicious breakfast that you would regret hours later... even there, they were somewhat oily. I think that's the nature of the beast.
Spanish churros aren't exactly like Mexican. Both are somewhat greasy, but a good Mexican churro has impeccable balance, and never quite crosses over the line into leaving you with a greasy palate. You feel like you could eat a fistful of them. I couldn't eat two churros from this woman, though.
Being from So Cal, I've done some wandering around Mexico. I agree that Mexican churros may be less greasy than Spanish ones, though I never saw porras (the fatter ones) in Mexico, and we used to have them all over in Spain. The dough to oil ratio is higher so they're less greasy, but I may have a higher tolerance for oil than you do. That said, I have generally eaten the churros from this street cart when they were just taking them out of the oil. In that state, much can be forgiven.
Greasy is fine. But that should be only one parameter contributing to a deft balance of attributes. But her churros maintain that balance only for half the bite. The bite ends with oil dominantl, and that's just slightly off. But I'm being picky...
I should note that the churros I had weren't quite totally fresh from the oil...they were among her short stack of made-aheads. But, anyway, I'm always leery of being told I need to eat something directly from the fryer (or the oven). Jim's Pencil Fallacy states that even pencils are likely delicious if you eat them straight from the fryer or oven. JPF most frequently applies to those muffins you see in delis all over (made from mix from the big white truck from New Jersey), and which people inevitably recommend "only when they're right out of the oven". Consider those Pillsbury cookie dough logs you get at the supermarket, which render more or less cravable results for about 4 minutes, then turn to abject horror when fully cooled.
I'll have to reanalyze the churros, I guess. It's been awhile since I've even found the cart, and it was a man selling every time I went there. I agree with you on some of these things, but I occasionally get a ready-made churro at La Nueva or from a vendor, and I must say that there are some foods that only have a viable life of about 5 minutes. I don't think that's necessarily bad. They're just a bit more ephemeral than some other foods. Just think of the amazing creations your high-paid chefs come up with that bring gasps from diners. I somehow think that a lot of those - meat dishes, apps, as well as desserts, wouldn't do that if they weren't whisked from kitchen to table at just the right instant. A lot of things that thrill the tastebuds also congeal on the plate in no time, and a lot of the worst offenders are those with some sort of fat or oil.
I agree that cookies should have a longer shelf life, and are, in fact, often much better when they've cooled (if they were any good to begin with). As for those muffins, I don't find many New York muffins exciting. It's almost as bad as New York pie.
"there are some foods that only have a viable life of about 5 minutes. I don't think that's necessarily bad. They're just a bit more ephemeral than some other foods"
Agreed. However! I have had some not-direct-from-fat churros that amazed me.
First off, thanks for the amazing map. I've just moved to the neighborhood and the board has been an invaluable resource so far.
The "Nighttime Taco Truck" that you have on Gleane and Roosevelt is, I believe, usually parked on Forley St--essentially across 85th at Roosevelt (this is my block, so I see it every night). I believe it's called El Fogoncito #2, and was, I believe, the subject of a few posts over the last few years--or at least, a truck by that name was. (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/242338)
i think you have the two ladies in the right place--they're outside the sovereign bank, which is on the south side of roosevelt at 84th street. the fogoncito truck--at least since i've been in the neighborhood, which is a month--is almost always parked a block away at Forley.
I second that. The Two-Ladies is at Gleane and Roosevelt, outside the Sovereign Bank, but there is no other truck catty-corner from them that I've ever seen.
Yes, Jim. You got the location exactly right. I went by today around 1 p.m. and he wasn't there so I couldn't ask him his hours or check out the other stuff he's added to the cart. I'll try again soon.
Great Job, Jim, When the weather warms up, I'm going to make the long trip from Kingston (way upstate) and hit the pins on your map.
BTW, if you ever find your way up here (especially on a Saturday or Sunday for lunch), I'll take you to the best hamburger within 100 miles. I know that you wanted to go there (from your futile attempt when it was closed for lunch), but you just have to know the right time to go. gb
As per above, I love the mapping and as per geogeb above, if you're ever in Cali, Colombia, I'll take you to a great high end and to a great low end eatery--both equally good.
GeorgeB, please tell me more about the burger in Kingston - we often find ourselves famished from a weekend of hiking up in the Catskills, in Kingston while waiting on connecting bus to NY. We usually stop at the diner by the bus stop - I like the old school feel and character personalities of the regulars, but would love to hear what's there worth walking beyond (I'm even game for a taxi ride). You can answer me on the Tri-State board - TIA.
You know, Jim, as a geographer, I just realized that this map is mislabeled. It's actually South-Central Jackson Heights. I know you all like to think of 74th as the hub, and it is certainly a center. But if this is East, where does that leave those poor Jackson Heighters on Junction Blvd?
Actually, Junction Blvd. is in Jackson Heights part of the way, but the border goes down Warren Street when it appears. However, the places on your map don't even hit 90th Street. And if you've look to the East (and I'm sure you have), you'll notice that there are about nine more blocks before you hit Junction after your last stand. Things really stretch out there. I am always amazed at the distance between the 90th Street subway stop and Junction Blvd. since technically, it should only be 5 blocks. Things seem to be much more complicated around there.
JH Jill is more correct. There is nothing official about neighborhood boundaries. The original JH land purchases by the Queensborough Corporation in the early 20th century streched from 74-90 St. 82 St was developed as the central shopping street for the community. 74 St was an edge made more accesible by the E/F/G subway in the 1930's long after JH was established.
Unlike other boroughs, I think that the Queens neighborhoods are officially defined (at least by the post office, which is official enough for me). Hence, each neighborhood has its own well-defined zip code. Addresses in the borough also are not usually referred to as Queens, NY (unlike for Brooklyn, NY) but rather with the neighborhood name (i.e. the former village name, such as Woodside, NY).
This is indeed true. However, those zip code boundaries often don't really match up with the historical neighborhoods, or even the neighborhoods as they are generally perceived today. For instance, the Mexican restaurant De Mole so often praised on this board is officially in the Woodside zip code and is addressed as Woodside. But by any other standard that location is definitely in Sunnyside.
ZIPS define areas for the convenience and work of the USPS who do not consider ethnicity in this act. While community names are retained for post offices, ZIPS are not definitive in this. For example 11355 and 11354 cut downtown Flushing in two. 11354 is officially called "Linden Hill" which most Flushingites would not have a clue as to geography!
Another quirk about USPS areas, at least the larger ones that turn up in many online listings, is that they place the lion's share of the borough in LIC, Flushing or Jamaica. That includes well-established nabes like Forest Hills (Flushing), Astoria (LIC) and Ozone Park (Jamaica).
I noticed the other morning about three women selling tamales on 82nd just south of Roosevelt (by the subway entrance). I didn't have time to stop to investigate, so I'm curious if anyone's ever tried them. Interestingly, one woman seemed to have all the customers (and she was wrapping up about five for one customer) and the other two were being shunned - but that might have just been the moment I was walking by.
I've seen tamales vendors lately on the SW corner, at the foot of the subway stairs. Weekday mornings. A couple of years ago, when I was commuting daily on the 7, I used to see them there evenings as well, but at some point their presence became irregular -- at least whenever I craaved some tamales, the vendors weren't there! But I don't take the 7 as often as I used to, so I can't report definitively about p.m. hours.
Some serious chowconnaisance is called for. C'mon, guys, let's get out there and actually try stuff and report back! That's the great use of a network like this!
It was the southwest corner of Roosevelt and 82nd - on 82nd just past the subway stairs. This was about 8:30 on a Friday morning - in the pouring rain. I will definitely look for them now that I've seen them once and report back. I usually enter the subway on the north side and so for all I know they've been there just across the corner for months!
She has tasty spicy chicken tamales and sells them out of a shopping cart. Her competition sells them out of one of those old lady push carts, but I prefer shopping cart lady.
I've added a bunch of new vendors, plus updated some of the old ones.
The speed with which this scene is changing is just amazing. I'm struggling to keep up (especially since I'm not really eating this kind of stuff anymore...I'm just having single bites so I can stay on top of the scene).
It's hard work, Jim. I was just checking out the updated version of the map. Interesting. I will definitely try to find the Elusive Churro Woman because she seems to be around the corner from my block. I had seen a rather generic, but not bad, chuzo and arepas con queso guy there for years, but I haven't seen him lately, since the scaffolding and construction site sort of made the place less attractive (if you can call under the el attractive). I'll try to update you on that.
Also, I noticed you put in La Terraza bar. One thing you may not know is that they have an expresso machine and it's one of the few places you can hang out with an expresso in these parts. I've been during the day in the past, although I'm not sure of their hours lately because it's looked closed when I've passed lately. I usually just go there for special music or art events, but it used to be quiet and had some interesting seating by the window to read and sip in the afternoon before it got busy. We put on an homage to Victor Jara, the Chilean singer-songwriter last year with music, poetry and film. The owner of a local bookstore organized it.
By the way, most Friday nights, there's a cultural evening of song, poetry, wine and some locally made empanadas or some other thing at the Latin American Immigrant Alliance starting at 9:00 p.m. at 37-47 76th Street (side door). I think they usually charge $5. Today they're having a Peruvian photography show also. They used to do it at Raices in Astoria. It draws all sorts of South American talent, with late-night jam sessions of Andean jazz. The food is sometimes homemade. The entertainment is in Spanish - It's called La Tertulia de Pancho (for an amazing Sunnyside-based Chilean singer-songwriter-painter-poet who is also a maker of Chilean empanadas, which he sometimes brings.
Too late on Elusive Churro Woman. Per the latest version of my map (which is massively updated), I've given up on her...or at least on finding her at this location. I think your churro woman chased her away somehow.
Jeff, I have looked for her almost every day but no luck. I know the other one has been there much longer, except I remember it being a man instead of a woman the times I've bought there.
Yes, the LAIA has lots of events. At the tertulia tomorrow night, they're featuring a charango player and a cajón player. The notice says wine is served, but I'm not sure about food.
I just tried 2 ladies taco truck the other night with my bf who was visiting me in JH from Boston. We loved the tacos and I am now planning to hit some of the other places on the map. My question is - does knowledge of very basic Spanish help you get by at some of these places or is it ok to communicate only in English? My bf is an Arab, though many people thought he was Latino and spoke to him in Spanish. I felt badly that neither of us could manage much of a reply. I can easily learn the basics of Spanish if it will help me with the food experiences in my neighborhood.
Learning a few polite words in languages of people you sometimes interact with is always a good idea. There's a much larger gap between someone who can't say, like, a single word and someone who knows enough words to be friendly/polite than between the latter and a fluent speaker. So definitely learn some. If you don't speak a word of Spanish, as you noticed, you can get served.
But you may also want to pay a little closer attention in English :) My map specifies that tacos aren't the thing to get at that cart. They're made with storebought tortillas. Gorditas and sopes are homemade!
The "two ladies" tacos truck is called Guichos. The sopes can be a nice change of pace from tacos, though the second time I ordered one it tasted as if it were homemade....several days earlier. Maybe it just wasn't one of their best efforts. The chicken is fine, I'm not sure what makes it any less of a "gringo sucker order" than other trucks. Nor do I get why another truck having two women working there makes it an imitator.
I've usually ordered a carnitas torta, which makes a great cheap delicious dinner. Someday I'll try to overcome my squeamishness and order the ear, that might have to wait for the end of a long night of drinking.
I've added a bunch of stuff (plus updates of older stuff), most important of which is Gallegos Courier, this improbable baking operation squatting in a storefront on 82nd Street that makes the best avena, pan de bono, and empanadas in Queens.
Jim Leff
Apr 05, 2007 09:35AM
Jim, I nominate you for the MacArthur grant. Great stuff, great help and now you've gone and ruined the rest of my work day by making me daydream of good comida. God, do I love Queens.
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Coincidentally, I nominated the Arepa Lady for a MacArthur grant. And I'm not kidding.
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Dammit Jim, you've just made my neighborhood walks even more counter-productive (or more productive, depending on your perspective).
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Jim,
Did you try the churros in front of Ria Envía, I believe. I think it's at 85th? It's the only place around that makes fresh churros, and there is a world of difference. He's also got other things on the cart that I've never tried.
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Never did, no. If you'll scout out the precise location (and let me know more or less when he tends to be out), I'll add it in.
Anyone else? I only want the good stuff...i.e. none of the shlock at 82nd and Roosevelt, etc.
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Darn it I wish I could give you a location for the elusive cocada seller; but I haven't been able to find her again. I have asked in a couple of places on 37th Avenue and they all said this seller moves around between Roosevelt and 37th Avenues somewhere in the 80s.
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How are you determining what's shlock? Have you actually tried all the other carts at 82nd and Roosevelt? That's some serious determination (although I suppose not surprising).
Does your map concentrate on the east just for the sake of choosing a theme, or because the carts are better there, or because the carts are non-existent further west? I had lunch at Coatzingo today, so firstly it's a weekday and secondly it was around 1pm and it seems many carts come out at night... but I only noticed one cart on Roosevelt, perhaps a block from the subway, selling tacos & tortas. Is that typical?
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The carts are more dense further east. I do like the flor de calabaza quesadillas and pandebonos at 82nd and Roosevelt though. Oh and the elotes.
Thanks for bumping my favorite post ever. The cart by the subway is eh. Further down is a glorious utopia of street food which stretches in dense patches from 82nd St onward with some before.
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I just tried them, and added my notes to the map (link above). Thanks!
I passed that cart dozens of times without reazling there are churros. She sure hides the frying operation....
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Glad you found her, Jim. The times I've been past there, no one was there so I couldn't ask the hours. I know they're not world class, but they are the best I've had here in New York. Now, back in Madrid, we'd go to little cafés starting at 5 a.m. for chocolate con churros. That chocolate was as think as pudding. It was a delicious breakfast that you would regret hours later... even there, they were somewhat oily. I think that's the nature of the beast.
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Spanish churros aren't exactly like Mexican. Both are somewhat greasy, but a good Mexican churro has impeccable balance, and never quite crosses over the line into leaving you with a greasy palate. You feel like you could eat a fistful of them. I couldn't eat two churros from this woman, though.
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Being from So Cal, I've done some wandering around Mexico. I agree that Mexican churros may be less greasy than Spanish ones, though I never saw porras (the fatter ones) in Mexico, and we used to have them all over in Spain. The dough to oil ratio is higher so they're less greasy, but I may have a higher tolerance for oil than you do. That said, I have generally eaten the churros from this street cart when they were just taking them out of the oil. In that state, much can be forgiven.
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Greasy is fine. But that should be only one parameter contributing to a deft balance of attributes. But her churros maintain that balance only for half the bite. The bite ends with oil dominantl, and that's just slightly off. But I'm being picky...
I should note that the churros I had weren't quite totally fresh from the oil...they were among her short stack of made-aheads. But, anyway, I'm always leery of being told I need to eat something directly from the fryer (or the oven). Jim's Pencil Fallacy states that even pencils are likely delicious if you eat them straight from the fryer or oven. JPF most frequently applies to those muffins you see in delis all over (made from mix from the big white truck from New Jersey), and which people inevitably recommend "only when they're right out of the oven". Consider those Pillsbury cookie dough logs you get at the supermarket, which render more or less cravable results for about 4 minutes, then turn to abject horror when fully cooled.
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I'll have to reanalyze the churros, I guess. It's been awhile since I've even found the cart, and it was a man selling every time I went there. I agree with you on some of these things, but I occasionally get a ready-made churro at La Nueva or from a vendor, and I must say that there are some foods that only have a viable life of about 5 minutes. I don't think that's necessarily bad. They're just a bit more ephemeral than some other foods. Just think of the amazing creations your high-paid chefs come up with that bring gasps from diners. I somehow think that a lot of those - meat dishes, apps, as well as desserts, wouldn't do that if they weren't whisked from kitchen to table at just the right instant. A lot of things that thrill the tastebuds also congeal on the plate in no time, and a lot of the worst offenders are those with some sort of fat or oil.
I agree that cookies should have a longer shelf life, and are, in fact, often much better when they've cooled (if they were any good to begin with). As for those muffins, I don't find many New York muffins exciting. It's almost as bad as New York pie.
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"there are some foods that only have a viable life of about 5 minutes. I don't think that's necessarily bad. They're just a bit more ephemeral than some other foods"
Agreed. However! I have had some not-direct-from-fat churros that amazed me.
Nothing is as bad as New York pie.
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Absolutely fantastic. Thank you. When can we expect the rest of the world?
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First off, thanks for the amazing map. I've just moved to the neighborhood and the board has been an invaluable resource so far.
The "Nighttime Taco Truck" that you have on Gleane and Roosevelt is, I believe, usually parked on Forley St--essentially across 85th at Roosevelt (this is my block, so I see it every night). I believe it's called El Fogoncito #2, and was, I believe, the subject of a few posts over the last few years--or at least, a truck by that name was. (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/242338)
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jsq--if that's the case, I've gotten the "Two Ladies Taco Cart" wrong, too, as they're catty-corner.
Argh, I hope I'm not passing out disinformation. I don't think they're out this late or I'd walk over and check...
BTW, lots of trucks use the Fogoncito name. This may be the same, but it's hard to tell!
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jim--
i think you have the two ladies in the right place--they're outside the sovereign bank, which is on the south side of roosevelt at 84th street. the fogoncito truck--at least since i've been in the neighborhood, which is a month--is almost always parked a block away at Forley.
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I second that. The Two-Ladies is at Gleane and Roosevelt, outside the Sovereign Bank, but there is no other truck catty-corner from them that I've ever seen.
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Ok, thanks, I've moved the marker and credited.
JH Jill, can you clarify any better on the churro location? Did I get it close? Any idea what time this vendor is out....and weekdays vs weekends?
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Yes, Jim. You got the location exactly right. I went by today around 1 p.m. and he wasn't there so I couldn't ask him his hours or check out the other stuff he's added to the cart. I'll try again soon.
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Great Job, Jim, When the weather warms up, I'm going to make the long trip from Kingston (way upstate) and hit the pins on your map.
BTW, if you ever find your way up here (especially on a Saturday or Sunday for lunch), I'll take you to the best hamburger within 100 miles. I know that you wanted to go there (from your futile attempt when it was closed for lunch), but you just have to know the right time to go. gb
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There's Oaxacan in Poughkeepsie, too, I hear!
I'm going to try the stuff over on 82nd street. As I say in the map, there might be something good among the drek on that corner.
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As per above, I love the mapping and as per geogeb above, if you're ever in Cali, Colombia, I'll take you to a great high end and to a great low end eatery--both equally good.
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GeorgeB, please tell me more about the burger in Kingston - we often find ourselves famished from a weekend of hiking up in the Catskills, in Kingston while waiting on connecting bus to NY. We usually stop at the diner by the bus stop - I like the old school feel and character personalities of the regulars, but would love to hear what's there worth walking beyond (I'm even game for a taxi ride). You can answer me on the Tri-State board - TIA.
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GeorgeB - we live just west of Woodstock and get into Kingston often. We'd love to know about the secret burger place too. Thanks!
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I know this is the wrong board but whats the burger place in Kingston?
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You know, Jim, as a geographer, I just realized that this map is mislabeled. It's actually South-Central Jackson Heights. I know you all like to think of 74th as the hub, and it is certainly a center. But if this is East, where does that leave those poor Jackson Heighters on Junction Blvd?
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I think of central JH as being 82nd street. All these places are east of that, many of them substantially east. And Junction's Corona, no?
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Actually, Junction Blvd. is in Jackson Heights part of the way, but the border goes down Warren Street when it appears. However, the places on your map don't even hit 90th Street. And if you've look to the East (and I'm sure you have), you'll notice that there are about nine more blocks before you hit Junction after your last stand. Things really stretch out there. I am always amazed at the distance between the 90th Street subway stop and Junction Blvd. since technically, it should only be 5 blocks. Things seem to be much more complicated around there.
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JH Jill is more correct. There is nothing official about neighborhood boundaries. The original JH land purchases by the Queensborough Corporation in the early 20th century streched from 74-90 St. 82 St was developed as the central shopping street for the community. 74 St was an edge made more accesible by the E/F/G subway in the 1930's long after JH was established.
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Unlike other boroughs, I think that the Queens neighborhoods are officially defined (at least by the post office, which is official enough for me). Hence, each neighborhood has its own well-defined zip code. Addresses in the borough also are not usually referred to as Queens, NY (unlike for Brooklyn, NY) but rather with the neighborhood name (i.e. the former village name, such as Woodside, NY).
Please correct me if I am mistaken.
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This is indeed true. However, those zip code boundaries often don't really match up with the historical neighborhoods, or even the neighborhoods as they are generally perceived today. For instance, the Mexican restaurant De Mole so often praised on this board is officially in the Woodside zip code and is addressed as Woodside. But by any other standard that location is definitely in Sunnyside.
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ZIPS define areas for the convenience and work of the USPS who do not consider ethnicity in this act. While community names are retained for post offices, ZIPS are not definitive in this. For example 11355 and 11354 cut downtown Flushing in two. 11354 is officially called "Linden Hill" which most Flushingites would not have a clue as to geography!
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Another quirk about USPS areas, at least the larger ones that turn up in many online listings, is that they place the lion's share of the borough in LIC, Flushing or Jamaica. That includes well-established nabes like Forest Hills (Flushing), Astoria (LIC) and Ozone Park (Jamaica).
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The office of the Queensboro President put together this neighborhoods map. It's good for a laugh since neighborhood boundaries are purely imaginary:
http://www.queensbp.org/content_web/m...
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I noticed the other morning about three women selling tamales on 82nd just south of Roosevelt (by the subway entrance). I didn't have time to stop to investigate, so I'm curious if anyone's ever tried them. Interestingly, one woman seemed to have all the customers (and she was wrapping up about five for one customer) and the other two were being shunned - but that might have just been the moment I was walking by.
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Thanks! I've never spotted tamales there, so this is great news! was this a weekday or weekend? and can you remember exactly which corner?
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I've seen tamales vendors lately on the SW corner, at the foot of the subway stairs. Weekday mornings. A couple of years ago, when I was commuting daily on the 7, I used to see them there evenings as well, but at some point their presence became irregular -- at least whenever I craaved some tamales, the vendors weren't there! But I don't take the 7 as often as I used to, so I can't report definitively about p.m. hours.
ps Thanks for the map!
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Some serious chowconnaisance is called for. C'mon, guys, let's get out there and actually try stuff and report back! That's the great use of a network like this!
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It was the southwest corner of Roosevelt and 82nd - on 82nd just past the subway stairs. This was about 8:30 on a Friday morning - in the pouring rain. I will definitely look for them now that I've seen them once and report back. I usually enter the subway on the north side and so for all I know they've been there just across the corner for months!
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She has tasty spicy chicken tamales and sells them out of a shopping cart. Her competition sells them out of one of those old lady push carts, but I prefer shopping cart lady.
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I've added a bunch of new vendors, plus updated some of the old ones.
The speed with which this scene is changing is just amazing. I'm struggling to keep up (especially since I'm not really eating this kind of stuff anymore...I'm just having single bites so I can stay on top of the scene).
ciao
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It's hard work, Jim. I was just checking out the updated version of the map. Interesting. I will definitely try to find the Elusive Churro Woman because she seems to be around the corner from my block. I had seen a rather generic, but not bad, chuzo and arepas con queso guy there for years, but I haven't seen him lately, since the scaffolding and construction site sort of made the place less attractive (if you can call under the el attractive). I'll try to update you on that.
Also, I noticed you put in La Terraza bar. One thing you may not know is that they have an expresso machine and it's one of the few places you can hang out with an expresso in these parts. I've been during the day in the past, although I'm not sure of their hours lately because it's looked closed when I've passed lately. I usually just go there for special music or art events, but it used to be quiet and had some interesting seating by the window to read and sip in the afternoon before it got busy. We put on an homage to Victor Jara, the Chilean singer-songwriter last year with music, poetry and film. The owner of a local bookstore organized it.
By the way, most Friday nights, there's a cultural evening of song, poetry, wine and some locally made empanadas or some other thing at the Latin American Immigrant Alliance starting at 9:00 p.m. at 37-47 76th Street (side door). I think they usually charge $5. Today they're having a Peruvian photography show also. They used to do it at Raices in Astoria. It draws all sorts of South American talent, with late-night jam sessions of Andean jazz. The food is sometimes homemade. The entertainment is in Spanish - It's called La Tertulia de Pancho (for an amazing Sunnyside-based Chilean singer-songwriter-painter-poet who is also a maker of Chilean empanadas, which he sometimes brings.
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Too late on Elusive Churro Woman. Per the latest version of my map (which is massively updated), I've given up on her...or at least on finding her at this location. I think your churro woman chased her away somehow.
Thanks for the other great info! I see the Latin American Immigrant Alliance has a web site at http://alatinoamericana.blogspot.com
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Jeff, I have looked for her almost every day but no luck. I know the other one has been there much longer, except I remember it being a man instead of a woman the times I've bought there.
Yes, the LAIA has lots of events. At the tertulia tomorrow night, they're featuring a charango player and a cajón player. The notice says wine is served, but I'm not sure about food.
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Oh dude, that is just awesome. Great use of technology to facilitate our food cravings - good job!
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I just tried 2 ladies taco truck the other night with my bf who was visiting me in JH from Boston. We loved the tacos and I am now planning to hit some of the other places on the map. My question is - does knowledge of very basic Spanish help you get by at some of these places or is it ok to communicate only in English? My bf is an Arab, though many people thought he was Latino and spoke to him in Spanish. I felt badly that neither of us could manage much of a reply. I can easily learn the basics of Spanish if it will help me with the food experiences in my neighborhood.
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Learning a few polite words in languages of people you sometimes interact with is always a good idea. There's a much larger gap between someone who can't say, like, a single word and someone who knows enough words to be friendly/polite than between the latter and a fluent speaker. So definitely learn some. If you don't speak a word of Spanish, as you noticed, you can get served.
But you may also want to pay a little closer attention in English :)
My map specifies that tacos aren't the thing to get at that cart. They're made with storebought tortillas. Gorditas and sopes are homemade!
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The "two ladies" tacos truck is called Guichos. The sopes can be a nice change of pace from tacos, though the second time I ordered one it tasted as if it were homemade....several days earlier. Maybe it just wasn't one of their best efforts. The chicken is fine, I'm not sure what makes it any less of a "gringo sucker order" than other trucks. Nor do I get why another truck having two women working there makes it an imitator.
I've usually ordered a carnitas torta, which makes a great cheap delicious dinner. Someday I'll try to overcome my squeamishness and order the ear, that might have to wait for the end of a long night of drinking.
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I've added a bunch of stuff (plus updates of older stuff), most important of which is Gallegos Courier, this improbable baking operation squatting in a storefront on 82nd Street that makes the best avena, pan de bono, and empanadas in Queens.
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