447635 Thu Oct 04 08:56:58 -0700 2007 39 19 Outer Boroughs 0 3003746 So I just moved out to Astoria a few weeks ago and I LOVE it, can't figure out why it took me so long to leave Manhattan. I've been trolling the boards about favorites in area. There are a few scattered lists that I was looking to consolidate and update. Everything from cheap ethnic to the Astoria version of more upscale to the best of all the 30th Ave Cafes. I'm not going to touch on Greek food here, because for that there are plenty of posts about Astoria. So far, these are the places that I've come up with (I've only tried a couple of them) so please add on, tell me which not to bother with or offer any other general opinions. Bistro-type-things: Bistro 33, 718 Restaurant, Stove, Brick Italian: Piccolo Venezia, L'incontro, Il Bambino Japanese: JJ's, Bistro 33, Nebuta Pizza: Sac's, Rizzo, Last Stop Chinese: ?? Thai: Thai Pavilion 30th Ave Cafes: Ovelia, Athens Cafe Cafe: Freeze Peach, Il Bambino, Cafe Soleil Mexican: El Rey Del Sol truck Brazilian: Sabor Tropical, Favela Egyptian: Mundo, Mombar, Kabab Cafe Of these places, we've tried: Bistro 33- REALLY impressed, great duck, very good sushi Thai Pavilian- first time was excellent, second time just good and slightly bland (bad order?) Ovelia- good enough food, very good drinks, somewhat pricey, comfy chairs Il Bambino- have been three times. we love it. string bean salad with truffle dressing! Cafe Soleil- brand new, great iced tea sweetened with buckwheat honey- oddly delicious El Rey Del Sol- heaven Sac's- just got a slice, not the best ever, but very good, fresh and not greasy Alright... that's what I've got. Just wanted to get a comprehensive list together. Get some updated reviews... I've just been noticing a deficit/lack of cohesiveness in Astoria food websites/information. Thanks for the help! Thu Oct 04 08:56:58 -0700 2007 82426 jdream 1 3007109 Great list. And welcome to the neighborhood. Add Morroccan- Walima, Jour et Nuit- and the one by the citibank on Steinway... name anyone? Sabry's for fresh grilled fish and tahini Egyptian style - comically bad service tho Add Rudar's for Istrian Italian on 45th st and 36th ave.... Add Favela for Brazilian up on 28th ave There are mucho good mexican places-- I believe there was a thread about them... Thai: the new Poodam's has been getting good reviews Fri Oct 05 07:10:17 -0700 2007 3003746 11656 quentinC 2 5164121 no, malagueta for brazilian Sat Nov 07 17:48:57 -0800 2009 3007109 38753 zemilideias 1 3007262 Any tips on street meat in Astoria ? Fri Oct 05 07:47:25 -0700 2007 3003746 132036 cmballa 2 3007475 There's a better-than average souvlaki cart on the SW corner of Steinway and 31st Ave. and the halal chicken-'n'-rice cart at the NW corner of Steinway and 30th Ave. is all right as such things go. Fri Oct 05 08:38:39 -0700 2007 3007262 10465 hatless 2 3010561 Although not street meat, but a meat "pie" and you can get a huge slice of it at Yaya's Bakery. Definitely worthy of a mention here if you need a quick bite and want to fill up. Meat, spices, cheese, sweet vidalia onions, all wrapped in phyllo dough. It's a meal in itself for perhaps $3 (or less). The onions were a little too sweet for me, but some people might like it that way. The slice itself was so generously cut that I had a difficult time handling it while trying to eat and walk at the same time. I'd say it's best eaten once you get it home. Their spanakopita looked good too, btw. Yaya's Bakery 2846 31st St Astoria, NY 11102 (718) 932-3113 Sat Oct 06 10:33:57 -0700 2007 3007262 10609 Cheese Boy 3 3010616 oh yes- the best spanikopita imho. Try the little triangles of spanikopita for 50 cents. I always pick these up when I'm having parties, and any time I'm nearby frankly. I also like the bread and pastires there. They use a wood burning oven. Sat Oct 06 11:06:42 -0700 2007 3010561 11656 quentinC 4 3010805 Wood-burning oven? I'm there: thanks for the tips. Sat Oct 06 12:54:32 -0700 2007 3010616 132036 cmballa 1 3011149 I had some great carnitas tacos today from Tacos Mexico on 38th street just south of Broadway. Sat Oct 06 16:16:46 -0700 2007 3003746 11712 Astoria Lurker 2 3867978 Tulcingo deli (off the Broadway stop, just past the C-Town) is my favorite Mexican place in the neighborhood. Been going there for years,even when I didn't live anywhere near by. Try the Bistec ala Mexicana - easily the best I've ever had. Also, Opa! Souvlaki off the 30th st. stop is good. Try the Tzatziki. Mon Jul 14 13:27:37 -0700 2008 3011149 115296 joeyz 1 3013429 El Mariachi for Mexican on Broadway btwn 33rd and 34th St. Love the tortas, burritos, soups and horchata beverage. Try Yaiya Thai on 30th Ave near 34th St. I like it a lot, and Thai friends have told me that it's closest to Thai homecooking. I think they also make Thai offmenu dishes for Thai customers. Balkh Afghan Grill near corner of 23rd Ave on 31st St. I'm addicted to the pitcher of sweet lassi and the combo grill. Sun Oct 07 21:00:58 -0700 2007 3003746 123300 Rocky2 1 3014233 I would suggest Burek's at Djerdan, great veal soup too. I see you have Kabab Cafe up there...try anything Ali suggests at Kabab Cafe (25th/Steinway), specifically his mezze plate, amazing lamb cheeks and tongue, and the lamb shank is the best I have ever had. Mon Oct 08 08:53:32 -0700 2007 3003746 40533 Yaxpac 1 3017839 Watawa on Ditmars for Sushi!! Great fish great rolls and and such a good feeling when you go inside. Tue Oct 09 09:14:39 -0700 2007 3003746 106483 doona 1 3018288 ovelia - i went there for brunch - and it made my stomach really upset for several hours afterwards. and apparently my friend didn't feel too hot afterwards as well. favela - i heart!!! nebuta - i went there right when it opened and quite disappointed - i ordered the beef udon soup and some tempura - lacked flavor and quite greasy. maybe i'll try it again. cafe triskall on broadway - fabulous place for crepes. bz grill - good for quick gyros. cafe soleil - just tried it on saturday - yummy coffee and desert bars. sparrow - good brunch and evening menu for a bar type of place. sac's - been there once - the soup was disappointing. the pizza was the best pizza i had in astoria so far - white pizza w/ shrimp and garlic. i want to go back soon! 30th ave cafe - i like the new one called Vibe. not super crowded or really loud music. and the food is pretty good (except the nachos). Tue Oct 09 10:59:14 -0700 2007 3003746 133298 atraxia 1 3018698 I did a list so similar to this when I first moved into Astoria. I compiled a list of all my fav restaurants, first by cuisine and then by Avenue/Street. It's very outdated now. I go to Athen's cafe for brunch every Saturday, which I love, but there is also a European crepe place on Broadway and like 33rd that makes great breakfasts. Tue Oct 09 12:29:27 -0700 2007 3003746 106483 doona 2 3020978 Can you post the list, however outdate, just as a place to start. My list has expanded ten-fold just by doing some research online. Had pizza at Rizzo's the other day. WOW! I didn't know that pizza can be so light and fresh. Fatty's is also high on my list to try. If anyone is interested I will post the further list that I've developed, it's rather large. Let me know though... Wed Oct 10 07:25:45 -0700 2007 3018698 82426 jdream 3 3021040 ASTORIA RESTAURANTS 20th ave 40th st tango mambo argentinean steakhouse steinway ammos greek/seafood: good décor Ditmars / 21st ave 19th st agnanti meze greek: 27 for food – very far 25th st fatty’s café latin American 31st st rizzo’s pizza 31st-ish michael angelo's II pizza: great crust 31st st emack and bolio’s ice cream: inventive flavors 31st st trattoria l’incontro italian: 26 for food 31st st el olivo spanish 31st st mezzo mezzo mediterranean 32nd st watawa sushi: great rating 33rd st taverna kyclades greek: outside seating 33rd st tony signori italian 35th st 718 spanish infused french food 36th st buon appetite deli italian 36th st mccann’s beer and wings 43rd st porto bello 22nd ave 31st st los amigos mexican 31st st thirty one pizza plus 23rd ave 28th st telly’s tavern greek/seafood: outside patio 31st st balkh shish kabob middle eastern 31st st tavern vraka greek 41st st christos greek/steakhouse 24th ave 31st st elias corner greek/seafood steinway sabry’s seafood middle eastern Astoria / 25th ave 25th st astoria world manor buffet 28th st la locando del buongustaio 30th st jimbos bar seafood – late night good octopus 33rd st perivoli mediterranean, seafood steinway ubol’s kitchen thai steinway kebab café egyptian steinway mombar egyptian 28th ave 31st st opa souvlaki greek 33rd st girasol churrascaria brazilian steak 42nd st piccolo venezia italian: expensive, bad décor 45th st stove french / american steinway raices peruvian steinway jour et nuit moroccan 30th ave 25th st arigato sushi 29th st plaza lounge mojitos and martinis 30th st athen’s café greek, cafe 31st st zlata phaha eastern european 33rd st go wasabi sushi, interesting rolls 34th st thai angel kitchen thai 34th st grand avenue greek, cafe 34th st cyprus deli deli 35th st golden house takeout Chinese 36th st marinos fish 37th st thai pavilion thai 37th st sabor tropical brazilian 37th st grand café greek 40th st gaudio’s italian Newtown 29th st butcher bros steakhouse 30th st amici amore italian/steakhouse 30th st zodiac greek 31st ave 33rd st brick café french/italian 34th st zenon greek 34th st djerdan e. european 37th st JJ’s sushi 42nd st cavo trendy: garden and dancing 32nd ave 31st st la espiga ii mexican Broadway 25th st sac’s place pizza/Italian 25th st tulcingo mexican 29th st shima sushi 29th st aliada mediterranean 30th st gables seafood 31st st stamatis greek 32nd st demetris seafood seafood: live music 32nd st mundo turkey and argentinian: like a soho restaurant 32nd st syros seafood 33rd st pleos greek 33rd st opus tapas, cute decor 33rd st taverna roumeli greek 33rd st uncle george’s greek 33rd st michaels mediterranean 33rd st tierras colombianas columbian/latin 33rd st omonia café dessert bar; cute but not good food 34th st viva el mariachi mexican 34th st bartolino’s italian 35th st viva mar café seafood 35th st karyatis greek 38th st tacos mexico mexican 38th st las margaritas mexican 38th st cronins irish pub w/ food 44th st le sans souci french: cute décor 44th st el potro mexican 46th st ponticello italian 34th ave 31st st el boqueron mexican 32nd st tacos el compita mexican 34th st s’agapo greek/seafood: outdoor seating 37th st cevabdzinica sarajevo bosnian 45th st rudar soccer club eastern european 35th ave 35th st sunsick irish pub w/ food 36th st the cup diner diner 38th st uno chicago pizza 36th ave 28th st malagueta brazilian steakhouse 32nd st arharn thai thai 33rd st flor de luna mexican Wed Oct 10 07:42:29 -0700 2007 3020978 106483 doona 4 3021240 Zenon Taverna 31st ave & 34th street. a pearl.. a gem.. -- Yajai Thai on 30th ave.. not mentioned here, but surely worth mention! Wed Oct 10 08:31:50 -0700 2007 3021040 133588 HaveTasteWillTravel32 5 3021292 Yajai is great Thai. Its my number one take out place. Wed Oct 10 08:46:24 -0700 2007 3021240 106483 doona 4 3082382 FYI Was this list a link from somewhere else?? You have missed a few good restaurants and also mentioned a few that have closed ex. Roumeli has been closed for over a decade, syros, karyatis,san souci etc Also, you are right about Omonias food but his pastries are pretty good Wed Oct 31 07:19:54 -0700 2007 3021040 53097 pcorntail 5 3082688 Please note that I mentioned on the thread above that it is very outdated. Wed Oct 31 08:48:38 -0700 2007 3082382 106483 doona 6 3088662 Sorry you're right i only read your list oopppss Fri Nov 02 07:15:46 -0700 2007 3082688 53097 pcorntail 3 3021766 Pizza: GREAT Sicilian slice: Rose and Joe's bakery, west side of 31st near Ditmars Wed Oct 10 10:31:52 -0700 2007 3020978 10473 melon 4 3961661 Hands down the best. I hate Sicilian pizza and I can't get enough of Rose and Joe's. Delicious. Possibly my single favorite pizza. Fri Aug 15 23:11:19 -0700 2008 3021766 165800 jhopp217 5 5164125 hyes, go to rose and joe's Sat Nov 07 17:50:48 -0800 2009 3961661 38753 zemilideias 1 3066223 Where is El Rey Del Sol? I love Mexican food and haven't really found good places in Astoria. Thu Oct 25 09:14:24 -0700 2007 3003746 77940 mwyu 2 3067437 El Rey Del Sol is a truck that parks on 30th ave and 33rd St most nights (always weekends) from 7pm-3am. I also recently discovered a Mexican Deli (that's what it's called) on 29th St off of 30th ave. AMAZING! So cheap. So authentic. My best Astoria find so far. Thu Oct 25 13:49:49 -0700 2007 3066223 82426 jdream 3 3067473 Great great great... my favorite too. Thu Oct 25 13:55:54 -0700 2007 3067437 106483 doona 4 3069305 What have you gotten? We've tried: Barbacoa Taco- goat, so good... i had no idea! Steak Empanada- aweome Tamale- cheese and chicken (chicken great, cheese, not so much) Tostada with pork skin I can't remember what else... I'm curious to try some of the soups that look amazing... Any other suggestions?? Fri Oct 26 08:13:00 -0700 2007 3067473 82426 jdream 5 3069348 I'd love to know where you are talking about, but I definitely think its a different place. The truck doesnt have soup, or tamales or tostadas... all my favorites, just not available here. The best is the Huaracha with Carne, IMO Fri Oct 26 08:24:30 -0700 2007 3069305 106483 doona 6 3071958 Oh.... I thought you were talking about the Mexican Deli that I mentioned at the bottom of my post that you responded to. It is just called Mexican Deli and it is on 29th St just off of 30th ave . AMAZING. The truck is good too but this restaurant just makes me smile. Please let me know what you think if you try it out... or if you need more help finding it. You can feast for under $10!! Sat Oct 27 06:52:48 -0700 2007 3069348 82426 jdream 7 3080375 Oh fun. I can't wait to try it! I think I know where it is. Tue Oct 30 12:22:17 -0700 2007 3071958 106483 doona 7 3085500 I went to the Mexican deli/market last night. Had a verde tamale and chicken taco. The tamale was great. I'll have to try the steak empanada next. They also had huaracha. What do you recommend from the El Rey Del Sol truck? Thu Nov 01 07:05:19 -0700 2007 3071958 77940 mwyu 8 3086888 Also try the barbacoa taco too from the mexican deli. What is huaracha? From the truck I would stick to tacos and ask for them spicey! Thu Nov 01 13:24:02 -0700 2007 3085500 82426 jdream 9 3086937 Hauracha is a thick corn patty, like a tortilla but really thick. They have it on the cart and that's what I would suggest. It's the best. And sadely enough, I like it so much I've neber had the tacos. Thu Nov 01 13:34:47 -0700 2007 3086888 106483 doona 1 3082687 I finally made it into Latin Cabana on Steinway south of 34th street. What a nice and affordable place. I hjad the lunch special - shreaded pork, rice, beans and plantains. Excellent value for $4.95. I just wish I still lived in Queens so I could go back more often. No need for good food to be expensive.... Wed Oct 31 08:48:38 -0700 2007 3003746 18937 maddog5150 2 3090398 Tacos Mexicos ya'll!! 38th and Broadway. Fri Nov 02 15:11:20 -0700 2007 3082687 135607 arugala 3 3091522 any recommendations there in particular? Sat Nov 03 07:11:57 -0700 2007 3090398 82426 jdream 4 3093502 I get the vegetarian tacos almost every time which are served (i believe) traditionally as two per order. The tortillas are light, and tacos are given a good amount of cilantro and great queso fresco, always soft and perfectly sprinkled. The guac is great. My meat eating friends love the enchiladas. You cant go wrong with the tacos. They have more seafood (soups, etc) than you would expect, and people are always eating it, so if want to try it, go ahead, its safe. Everything is fresh and delicious at Tacos Mexicos! Sun Nov 04 07:04:01 -0800 2007 3091522 135607 arugala 1 3870069 Astoria is def a great place to eat! Bistro 33 has a 2 for 10 appetizer special tuesdays and wednesdays. Also, there is the arepas cafe where you can do take out or delivery but I've eaten there and the owner is really down to earth and friendly Tue Jul 15 08:43:48 -0700 2008 3003746 30364 aprilluv4