600410 Mon Mar 02 06:12:55 -0800 2009 56 19 Outer Boroughs 0 4465109 Stopped by both yesterday and a woman at Temple Snacks said they will be moving in a few days to the Flushing Mall. It was all hush-hush - not sure why. Also the folks at Little Pepper said they were in the process of renovating another space in Flushing in which they will move - no date given. Mon Mar 02 06:12:55 -0800 2009 148845 scoopG 1 4465196 This is disappointing news. The 2 stalls across from Temple Snacks have also closed, although work was being done there last week. I hope that the rest of Roosevelt Food Court remains open. Mon Mar 02 06:43:17 -0800 2009 4465109 268231 MahatmaKanejeeves 1 4466774 Oh, that is interesting about the hush-hush. FYI -- you can find the Xian food from Golden Mall at A&N(?) supermarket on Main Street as well. The owner was cooking and setting up there over the weekend. Mon Mar 02 13:34:43 -0800 2009 4465109 10763 Miss Needle 2 4466953 where/what is A&N? Is that the old Kam Sen next to the post office? Or I'm thinking of another place? Flushing residents have it so good, it's almost price wars between all of the asian megamarts in downtown flushing and nearby, must be at least a dozen choices now. Mon Mar 02 14:27:16 -0800 2009 4466774 12656 bigjeff 3 4466984 Yes, I believe that it is. Across from A&N is another supermarket that recently open. Yeah, it's super cheap in Flushing. DH and I spent $45 for groceries for the two of us (including 2 Bo Bo chickens -- one for roasting and one for making stock) and I got $2 worth of potatoes from the Union Square Greenmarket. With our pantry supplies, we definitely have more than enough food to last us throughout the week. Mon Mar 02 14:36:09 -0800 2009 4466953 10763 Miss Needle 4 4612098 Just a note: I was there over the weekend, and they are no longer there at A&N. Guess it didn't work out for them. I did stop by at Golden Mall and pick up a lamb burger. Well, as soon as DH plunked down $2.50, the woman just handed him a pre-made lamb burger. We've had it numerous times before and always enjoyed it. But this one was pretty bad. It was barely lukewarm and there really wasn't sufficient seasoning. It wasn't salty nor spicy enough. If this happens to us next time, I would probably ask for them to make a fresh one. May not be well-seasoned, but at least it would be warm. Mon Apr 20 12:51:25 -0700 2009 4466984 10763 Miss Needle 2 4467588 Yeah - my guess is they didn't want the other vendors to know. Temple seems to do a brisk takeout business and they are furthest from the tables in the rear. Also some of the other vendors more visibly display their food and some have photos. Temple did say to phone 646-463-3378 for a moving update. Mon Mar 02 17:29:24 -0800 2009 4466774 148845 scoopG 1 4479022 Thanks for the update! Was planning on going to Temple Snacks on Sunday with some friends, one of whom would have been devastated if he couldn't get a gua bao. Fri Mar 06 06:51:51 -0800 2009 4465109 10936 kathryn 2 4482960 is the whole place moving? i walked by it today and the whole thing was shutdown Sat Mar 07 14:46:51 -0800 2009 4479022 12298 Lau 3 4482964 I called 646-463-3378, a woman picked up, I asked "what is your address?" and she said "Who is this?" I said that I probably had a wrong number, and hung up... Maybe I mis-dialed? Or they misprinted the number? Sat Mar 07 14:48:09 -0800 2009 4482960 10936 kathryn 4 4482966 ehh not a good sign...sounds like the end of the Roosevelt Food Mall maybe occurring Sat Mar 07 14:49:32 -0800 2009 4482964 12298 Lau 5 4483260 uggh Sat Mar 07 17:18:30 -0800 2009 4482966 90996 chefjellynow 6 4483561 Stopped by this evening. The gate was partially up, but every stall was closed. Saw the tall grey-haired gent from the Taiwanese stall at the back. He couldn't tell me why RFC was closed but said it should up and running in about a week. Sat Mar 07 20:08:25 -0800 2009 4483260 11038 Joey Deckle 4 4484109 I just spoke to a woman who answered the phone (646-463-3578) and she said Temple Snacks is in the process of moving to the Flushing Mall. Her voice was very soft and I could hardly hear her - she thought they'd re-open in within 2 weeks. Not sure why the rest of RFC would be closed... Sun Mar 08 07:27:16 -0700 2009 4482964 148845 scoopG 1 4530320 We were at Flushing Mall on Saturday and saw Temple Snacks already there. They're located all the way at the end, next to the crepe stand. (btw, has anybody ever tried the Nutella and cheese crepe?!?!?!) He said it was his first day. We wanted to order a gua bo and intestine dish but he said he didn't have those today. So we just got the fried pork chop with rice. Not really my thing. I don't know if it was a poor rendition or that we just don't like the dish. The pork chop was super greasy and the gravy was pretty bland. I tasted a bunch of black pepper, but that was about it. Mon Mar 23 11:33:30 -0700 2009 4465109 10763 Miss Needle 2 4530632 shouldnt be like that a good version isn't like that...my friend who knows what taiwanese food tastes like told me something similar about their pai gu fan (pork chop rice) try lai food's their version is decent Mon Mar 23 13:01:17 -0700 2009 4530320 12298 Lau 3 4530783 If you're talking about the one on the corner of Prince Street, I believe they're closed. What's your recommendation for the best Taiwanese restaurant in Queens? Mon Mar 23 13:41:21 -0700 2009 4530632 10763 Miss Needle 3 4543674 Not in Flushing but Excellent Pork Chop House in Manhattan China Town (on Doyers St) has a great Taiwanese style Pork Chop over Rice. It has recently become one of my favorite dishes in the city. Fri Mar 27 09:11:58 -0700 2009 4530632 130115 demigodh 4 4543739 its just so so, its not nearly as good as the real thing and lai food's version is much better Fri Mar 27 09:28:02 -0700 2009 4543674 12298 Lau 4 4551851 I concur with Lau; it had no crust! different creature . . . Mon Mar 30 13:35:12 -0700 2009 4543674 12656 bigjeff 5 4551872 yeah thats a good point as well Mon Mar 30 13:42:21 -0700 2009 4551851 12298 Lau 6 4552595 None that I've found to date have the real Taiwanese style, flattened pork chop - which is quickly deep fried. Mon Mar 30 17:42:38 -0700 2009 4551872 148845 scoopG 2 4537799 Thanks for the intelligence! Hmm, that crepe stand always kind of scared me a little since it looks like they pre-make some stuff and leave it sitting out. And turnover has never seemed high... that end of the mall is a little barren, too, I hope Temple Snacks does OK. Wed Mar 25 13:43:45 -0700 2009 4530320 10936 kathryn 3 4538011 Yeah, I am a bit worried about its out of the way location. It looked like he was doing a lot of huge take-out orders but no eat-in orders except for me. I do hope they start carrying the gua bo pretty soon! Wed Mar 25 14:32:18 -0700 2009 4537799 10763 Miss Needle 4 4538477 Even when they were at the RFC it could be spotty as to the Gua Bao availability. Not available 10-20 minutes after they opened or a 10-15 minute wait for one at noon...and yes that last stall area at the Flushing Mall does have a "last house on the left" feel about it.... Wed Mar 25 17:00:46 -0700 2009 4538011 148845 scoopG 5 4538503 Wow. I must have been fortunate the two times I've been to Roosevelt Mall. The first one was absolutely outstanding. Second time -- a little less so as the steamed bun was kind of stale, but still very good. All made in a reasonable amount of time. Hopefully I'll luck out next time. Wed Mar 25 17:09:16 -0700 2009 4538477 10763 Miss Needle 6 4542979 Opened Temple Snacks at Flushing Mal, in their 1st floor food court by the bandstand. We ate at other corner stall, where they sold Lai mein, n cut noodles. saw Temple Snacks walking back to car, after eating. Fri Mar 27 04:46:00 -0700 2009 4538503 277827 chin XPat 5 4542975 Opened Temple Snacks at Flushing Mal, in their 1st floor food court by the bandstand. We ate at other corner stall, where they sold Lai mein, n cut noodles. saw Temple Snacks walking back to car, after eating. Fri Mar 27 04:42:48 -0700 2009 4538477 277827 chin XPat 2 4566137 I posted how bad Temple's fried prok chop was a while ago. I love their pork belly but the pork chop was just starchy, bland and greasy. Happy Noodle makes an excellent pork chop with rice (came across tit by accident). Closest to May Wah (now closed) from Chinatown. It even has the sour pickle vegetable and marinated egg they had at May Wah. Caoncur with Lau, Lai food also makes a very good one. Fri Apr 03 17:59:55 -0700 2009 4530320 211399 PaMa 1 4591406 regarding xiao la jiao/little pepper, they gave us a card with the address and map of new location, which they said in they would move 'in a few months': 18-24 college point blvd, ny 11356 this new location is 2 miles away from flushing in college point, and is accessible by two buses. i fear this move will frustrate and deter new and continued patrons from going, and their business will suffer. maybe someone else who knows the college point demographics could attest to how well little pepper would do in their new location. Mon Apr 13 09:55:01 -0700 2009 4465109 13959 cervisiam 2 4591734 that is problematic b/c i dont think there is a train that goes close to there Mon Apr 13 11:21:27 -0700 2009 4591406 12298 Lau 3 4595294 Maybe this will increase their business? I'm sure there are plenty of people who eat there, or would like to, but don't travel by train or bus. Parking is impossible at their current location and will only get worse. I, for one, will go even more often to their new location. Tue Apr 14 13:02:21 -0700 2009 4591734 11725 el jefe 4 4595390 i dont know, i'd have to see the new area, but the foot traffic is great in downtown flushing even though they aren't right in the middle, but pretty darn close no parking (b/c its crowded) + close to public transport + crowded = foot traffic = good for business even though you have people like us who travel to go there, i would think that they majority of their business is the local flushing chinese population Tue Apr 14 13:25:02 -0700 2009 4595294 12298 Lau 5 4597517 I've never seen them get much walk-by traffic. Mostly it seems to be big groups at the round tables and Chowhounds at the 4-tops. Except for the Citifield crowd and the Bland Houses, anyone who is walking to Little Pepper has to walk past every other restaurant in Flushing to get there. Maybe if they were somewhere near Main St, they'd get more foot traffic. Right now, every other restaurant in Flushing is also their competition. At their current location they have 7 tables. (I don't count their upstairs space which is one of the most unappealing places I've ever eaten in in this country.) Hopefully, their new location will have more space and they'll need it. Wed Apr 15 07:27:53 -0700 2009 4595390 11725 el jefe 6 4597544 we'll just have to see although they are well known in the flushing chinese community (i know from some friend's parents who are flushing locals...thats how i first found the place) Wed Apr 15 07:34:35 -0700 2009 4597517 12298 Lau 7 4629428 I was in Little Pepper last night and asked about their new location. They said that work is supposed to take 3 months but that they've had problems with the architect, etc and that very little has been done so far. So the move is still many months away. That should be good news for those who need public transportation to get there. btw, last night, 13 of the 14 groups that were in there between 7:15 and 9:00pm had at least one Caucasian at the table. Based on that, I think that a "nicer" space and easy parking will make them more of a "destination" than access to public transportation does. The food was excellent, as usual. Too bad they never have the rabbit any more. Sun Apr 26 07:15:41 -0700 2009 4597544 11725 el jefe 6 4597987 The current Little Pepper setup does not scream out "Come check me out!". I went right past the first (and only, but not last) time I went there. Wed Apr 15 09:40:06 -0700 2009 4597517 21954 2slices 7 4698993 You are right: the setup is far from glorious and the capacity, insufficient. Yet, I am attracted to the smell of their food as a moth to the light. IMHO, Xiao La Jiao is the #1 Sichuan place on the Eastern US seabord (I am not a food critic though). Wherever they go I'd follow, and the Q bus makes it a little easier. Tue May 19 18:58:10 -0700 2009 4597987 260841 diprey 4 4698951 I don't see how it can increase their business as it's an area very hard to reach by public transportation! I'm horrified. Tue May 19 18:42:32 -0700 2009 4595294 18154 prunefeet 1 4597972 I went by Roosevelt Food Court yesterday looking forward to introducing some friend to Temple Snacks and others only to find the whole place closed, all grates down. Does anyone have the scoop? Wed Apr 15 09:36:32 -0700 2009 4465109 101097 kerteman 2 4598061 unhide the earlier responses in this thread...they moved to flushing mall food court Wed Apr 15 09:57:21 -0700 2009 4597972 12298 Lau 2 4604119 A few weeks ago, there were permits posted under the gate authorizing installation of kitchen equipment. The permit expires end of April. The front of Roosevelt Food Court is now unoccupied. The samsas and bubble tea stands across from Temple Snacks closed weeks ago. RFC may be closed due to insufficient business. Fri Apr 17 08:11:07 -0700 2009 4597972 268231 MahatmaKanejeeves 3 4715065 I went past the Roosevelt Food Court last night. It was open again with lots of socks for sale but at 7:00pm none of the food vendors were open. I have no idea if any of them ever will. I'm just posting the info here for the "regulars" who might want to check it out. Tue May 26 07:59:23 -0700 2009 4604119 11725 el jefe 4 4954170 Any updates on the other former vendors of RFC? I'm particularly missing the Sichuan and Korean stalls. Mon Aug 17 16:17:23 -0700 2009 4715065 13402 Joe MacBu 5 4955144 Han Song Ting, shown in the attached photo, has relocated (as of May) to Main Plaza, 34-02 Main St., toward the back. Tue Aug 18 04:57:14 -0700 2009 4954170 14517 DaveCook 6 4955654 That's great news. Thanks! I could use a good bowl of naengmyeon during the current swelter. While I have yet to try theirs, I've met Korean patrons from LA who have proclaimed it to be the best they've had in the US. According to Dave's blog, I think the actual address is: 37-02 Main St (Main Plaza). 646-236-0081 Tue Aug 18 08:11:54 -0700 2009 4955144 13402 Joe MacBu 7 4956394 anyone had the naengmyun from the "Fountain Dumplings" in Flushing Mall? Second floor, the korean ladies with the 18-ct dumplings per serving, served with kimchi and gochu-based dipping soy sauce? Tue Aug 18 11:50:10 -0700 2009 4955654 12656 bigjeff 8 4956451 i tried to get it once and they didn't have it...also they didn't seem to speak korean as my gf tried to speak to them and they looked at her blankly Tue Aug 18 12:04:49 -0700 2009 4956394 12298 Lau 9 4958905 The less than charming woman who appears to be in charge speaks Korean and Mandarin both. I believe she's from the ethnic Korean community in NE China. The others are Mandarin speaking in my experience (and in some cases are quite friendly). In any event, the dumplings are wonderful especially when made on the spot and easily justify a bit of transactional gruffness. Wed Aug 19 08:26:38 -0700 2009 4956451 16894 burton 5 4955159 Here's that photo. Tue Aug 18 05:09:21 -0700 2009 4954170 14517 DaveCook 6 4955318 these places on the border of korea are very interesting to me what in particular is good at han song ting? Tue Aug 18 06:22:25 -0700 2009 4955159 12298 Lau 7 4955601 The bing's the thing: Pork and cabbage (perhaps scallion, perhaps yellow chive; accounts vary). Tue Aug 18 07:54:32 -0700 2009 4955318 14517 DaveCook 8 4966539 The bing is not available at the new location. They don't seem to have a griddle to cook them anyway. I did spot a big noodle extruding machine, however. They've also added dumplings to the menu. The noodles are the thing here. I had a bowl of naengmyun that was big enough to feed two. I've had the #5 before, which has a spicy broth and some ground meat and is rather delicious. The most popular item seemed to be a soup with noodles and rice cakes, kelp/seaweed, cabbage, etc. They also serve bibimbap, soon dubu and a couple of other soupy things (one looked like seolleongtang, but I'm not sure). Too bad about the bing. Fri Aug 21 14:27:36 -0700 2009 4955601 13402 Joe MacBu 9 4966624 is their naengmyun any good? Fri Aug 21 14:56:54 -0700 2009 4966539 12298 Lau 10 4966764 I enjoyed it, but I haven't had enough experience with naengmyun to know how it compares to the rest. It was better than the other 2 or 3 bowls I've had around here. The noodles were definitely good, but they were not the translucent buckwheat type that I was expecting. For that reason, I'm not sure that they actually call it naengmyun. Looks like I need to brush up on naengmyun. Where are the other good ones? Fri Aug 21 15:44:12 -0700 2009 4966624 13402 Joe MacBu 11 4967416 if not translucent, was it the darker colored one, i think is made of arrowroot or something, as opposed to the typical greyish-translucent one? naeng myun is good but I've had mostly misses for some reason at most places in ktown (shilla, kang suh, chungmooro, etc.). personally I always get the hwe-naengmyun (preserved skate in the red spicy sweet sauce, served over "dry" noodles with the pear, slices of beef, etc.). Fri Aug 21 21:23:21 -0700 2009 4966764 12656 bigjeff 12 4984113 The noodles at Han Song Ting are made of wheat. So it is not naeng myun (i.e. buckwheat). The soup definitely is in the style of "mool naeng myun" since the broth is cold and has essentially the same flavor. Perhaps a more apt name would be "mool gook soo", but I lack an understanding of the finer points of Korean noodles to put money on that. Joe DiStefano has an article on the dish with photos, but he gets the (Korean) name wrong: http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2009/08/off-the-beaten-path-naeng-myun-at-han-song-ti-noodles-flushing-queens-nyc.html You may be interested in the bowl of bibim naeng myun I had today at Chung Moo Rollrice & Dongas: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/648051 Thu Aug 27 16:45:11 -0700 2009 4967416 13402 Joe MacBu