The Greek Family Kitchen is for those who want a taste of authentic Greek food right here in Queens. As a hispanic, I know when food is cooked to perfection, served with great care, and made with love. They offer a wide variety of every dish you can think of for the culture. With the classic pita bread that is a staple in countless Greek cuisines, to the beloved gyros that you can't get enough of at The Greek Family Kitchen.

​However my personal favorite is the Lemon Chicken Soup when it's steaming hot. This dish will
leave you wanting a second serving, then a third, and so on. The subtle exterior makes it hard
to spot, causing it to be a true hidden gem for those who want to find a new taste that tingles their taste buds.

For those who want to enjoy this fabulous restaurant:
212-02 Union Tpke, Queens NY 11364

My parents and I have been going to Caribbean Cabana for years now. We always order there on the weekends and they have very delicious food along with fair prices. We would always order a roast pork lo mein and a chicken fried rice for any occasion since it's just that good. I personally think that their specialty is the roast pork lo mein, the meat is cooked perfectly and the lo mein is always juicy and so flavorful. It's like you get a little bit of everything in every bite. They serve a large array of amazing foods inspired by authentic West Indian and Caribbean recipes. You can always rely on them to give you classic homestyle food from the Caribbean that most
restaurants can't imitate today. It's like they brought a small piece of the Caribbean here to
Queens. The overall environment of the place is very welcoming and has a very cozy feel to it.
It's a great place to come out and eat with family on a weekend night or to have lunch with a few friends. They provide a lovely ambiance while dining in and have many exotic and refreshing drinks to enjoy. The waiters are always friendly and they always respect and appreciate their customers. There s really no reason why you shouldn't go to this amazing restaurant.

You can find them at:
116-02 Jamaica Ave, Queens, NY 11418

http://www.caribbeancabana.nyc/menu.html
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I was born in Guyana and enjoyed the traditional cuisines of my country, however due to migrating to the United States, these flavours were often missed. Thankfully this delicious hidden gem offered the food of my country and of the Caribbean at large. 

​They specialize in making the classic Guyanese and Caribbean cuisines that give you a taste of the Caribbean with a kick of different spices such as goat, chicken and lamb curry and roti, etc.

​In addition to savoury Caribbean cuisines, they also specialize in baking West Indian pastries like cheese rolls, pine tarts and patties. My favourite savory dish from sybil’s would be their goat curry and roti, as for pastries, their chicken patties and coconut buns are delicious which is why they’re my first pick upon entering the restaurant. You simply cannot forget the beverages they serve, for the cream sodas and peanut punches offered at Sybil’s are delicious. Found within a community filled with fellow Guyanese who also miss the taste of home, Sybil’s is always able to provide for those who indulge greatly in the cuisines which are highly recommended. This recommendation, as I hope would encourage you to check out Sybil’s to try these mouthwatering dishes for they hold a special part in my life for its authenticness and nostalgia. Have fun stuffing your faces with the best Guyanese/Caribbean food around!!

Their address: 13217 Liberty Ave, Queens, NY 11419

You can contact Sybil’s by calling : (718) 835-9235

​And you can find their menu online at sybilsliberty.com

 
Indian cuisine has always been my favorite since it is a major part of my culture. It has a perfect blend of spices that is used in all of the dishes. My dad is North Indian, but South Indian food has always been my favorite. When I went to India a couple of years ago, I had the chance to try authentic South Indian food. I had masala dosa with red coconut chutney which tasted amazing since it had the perfect blend of spice and flavor. This dish has always been a favorite of mine growing up, so getting to try it from where it originated was really exciting! Whenever I want South Indian food, my dad will take me to Taste of Kerala Kitchen. They are able to make South Indian dishes so exact that they remind me of how they make it back in India. Whenever we go there and I’m craving something sweet, I always love to get Vellayappam, a type of pancake made out of rice batter. As the main dish, I like to order Dosa, a crepe-like dish that is also made out of rice. To finish off my meal, I like to get Vadas which is a fried snack (It’s basically a fried donut). It’s definitely a place to check out whenever you are craving Indian food and I hope you all enjoy the new items to taste!
 
Taste of Kerala Kitchen:
267-05 Hillside Avenue, Queens, NY 11004
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There was much more to see and eat in Flushing so our food oddessy led us to Roosevelt Ave for some bok choy and mushroom bao.  Can't get enough of those little treats.  Now that our tummies were filled we headed to one of the many markets and got some Chinese cauliflower, nothing we had ever seen before, but we are now fans of it. Its not something you want to eat raw, but stir fried its awesome!

By now it was time to head over to Rego Park and do some food shopping on 108 Street and boy were there lots of choices.  We began at the Nagilah Market and the shopkeeper, who was Iranian, was incredibly nice and helpful, with information and a sample of a few unusual (at least to us) items that he insisted we had to try.  

By now we were wearing down, and it was getting dark, and we still had three more stops on the block.  First was the market Samarkand, where they had a cornucopia of prepared foods.  We didn't know exactly what the items we choose were, but deciphered enough to know it was dough filled with meat and a couple of casserole type items.  So so good. Next was Gastronom, with a smoked fish department like no other, and again a long buffet of prepared foods where we indulged in a few mystery selections that turned out to be excellent.

By now we were out of gas and almost ready to head home, but decided to end our food adventure with a stop at Patel brothers market on Hillside Ave.  They have an incredible variety of everything imaginable from South Asia, and we poked around and found a few things we knew we wanted and a couple of splurges that we were anxious to try. That was a success.

While we never left Queens, we felt like we covered half the globe-all in a single day. We loved the adventure and are already building a list of all the places we will hit when we do it again-Astoria, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Ridgewood. ..........Any suggestions, shoot us an email at mvbhsalumns@gmail.com. We would also love to hear about your suggestions for our next grub crawl!

Step back in time to the 1920's to one of the oldest ice cream shops! Nothing has changed much in the interior! When I lived within walking distance, this was my special treat and my go to place. Nothing trendy, but just good old fashioned ice cream that can be made your way.  It's a special place to go for a return to the past but that lives in the present. Their whipped cream and all of their sauces are made by hand, with lots of secrets (they even have a secret menu!) They are particularly known for their towering classic sundaes with "the works" (hot fudge, homemade whipped cream and a cherry). If you are in the neighborhood, you must stop in. 

105-29 Metropolitan Avenue at 72nd Road in Forest Hills, Queens
At last post, Eddie's is doing take out only Wed-Sun 3-10/11
stay tuned for more info on their hours! 

​Bulgaria offers diverse geography, ecology, history, friendly people and of course, the unique Bulgarian food, which is the beautiful balance between meat, yoghurt, cheese, and vegetables that work perfectly. Bulgaria is famous for its quality vegetables and dairy products and its variety of mild spices. Bulgarian cuisine is tasty, fresh and hearty – from salads through delicious pastries to grilled meat classics. Many of the dishes are prepared according to traditional recipes handed down from generation to generation over the centuries.
The products for which Bulgaria is internationally known are yogurt and white feta cheese, which could be directly consumed but at the same time they are important ingredients in many dishes, such as “banitsa”. It is one of the most famous and most popular breakfast items in the country, which is made of dough with various fillings, such as cheese, spinach, rice, and meat.
One of the most popular appetizers is “tarator” – cold cucumber soup. It is prepared with yogurt, cucumbers, dill, crushed walnuts and spices.
“Shopska” salad is the most popular salad prepared with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and feta cheese.
Bulgaria’s cuisine also consists of various cold cuts and other meat delicacies, the most popular of which is the flat sausage – “lukanka”.
If you want to get a taste of the diverse Bulgarian cuisine you can visit the Parrot Coffee Grocery. ​There you can find many ready to be consumed Bulgarian products and meals such as:“banitsa”, “lutenitza”, “kebapche”, as well as the necessary ingredients to prepare traditional Bulgarian meal. 
​
Parrot Coffee Grocery 
45-15 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside, NY.

Perhaps my favorite hidden gem in Queens is tucked away in the diverse neighborhood of Corona. Leo's Latticini on 104th Street is an authentic Italian deli slinging sandwiches the size of your arm. So beloved is Leo's Latticini that locals simply know the restaurant as "Mama's," and the street has been renamed "Mama's Way". The crowd favorite is the Italian Special, a hero with prosciutto, salami, fresh mozzarella, mushrooms and peppers, but in my opinion, the Turkey Deluxe is the best item on the menu. Fresh carved turkey and fresh mozzarella is slathered in brown gravy and layered on a freshly baked semolina loaf. The sandwiches are so delicious and authentically Italian that they have been made available in the international market at New York Mets games ever since Citi Field opened in 2009. 
 
But the meal doesn't end with just a sandwich. Walk next door to Mama's bakery, which features homemade cakes, cookies, pies and more. While the cannolis are the best you will ever eat, my personal favorite is the fruit tart. A pastry shell is filled with creamy custard and topped with blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, and a cherry. There is so much fruit, you can almost convince yourself that your meal has been healthy.

​46-02 104th St
Queens, NY 11368