Choose My Lunch: Driving from NJ to JFK airport and need an earlyish solo lunch

[dimsumfan]

Driving in a couple of days from Parsippany to JFK, needing to be at the airport about 12:30pm. So, I need a place that's unique and delicious that can satisfy a solo diner and be accessible enough to get me to JFK at 12:30. (Maybe it needs to be open at 11am?)

I really wanted to get to Di Fara again, but they don't open until noon, and then a long wait. Mapquest routing doesn't have me going through Brooklyn, but instead 495 east toward Flushing and then south to JFK. Willing to go to Brooklyn, but Queens might be better.

I prefer bold food and like most anything ethnic, with hole-in-wall better than finer dining. If there's a counter to watch a chef cook or pull noodles or anything interest, that's a bonus, but not necessary.

Very open-ended request, but will appreciate any and all suggestions!

[dimsumfan]

Thanks everyone. I ended up going to Uncle Zhou. The hand-pulled noodle soup with lamb was fantastic, and the lamb dumplings were also very good. I want to return someday to explore more of the menu.

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Uncle Zhou
83-29 Broadway, Queens, NY 11373

[missmasala]

Glad you liked it. I love that place! I always discover something new and delicious to eat there.

[budcar]

Since you identify yourself as "dimsumfan," I suggest Jade Asian on 37th Ave, 1 block east of Main St, right across from the parking lot. You can also try the newly opened Grand Restaurant for dim sum on Roosevelt Ave and Main St in the New World Mall. I haven't been to the latter, but Jade Asian won't disappoint.

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Jade Asian
136-28 39th Ave, Queens, NY 11354

New World Mall
40-21 Main St, Queens, NY 11354

Grand Restaurant
40-21 Main St, Queens, NY 11354

[Silverjay]

Hit up one of the food courts in Golden Mall or New World Mall- both in Flushing. Take Triborough or Whitestone bridge into Queens. GCP and Whitestone Expressway both feed into Flushing.

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Golden Shopping Mall
41-28 Main St, Queens, NY 11355

New World Mall
40-21 Main St, Queens, NY 11354

[TongoRad]

That would be really cool, but OP should keep in mind that parking can be pretty dicey on that part of Main Street, especially around lunch time. I usually had much better luck down by the Botanical Garden, and it's really not that bad of a walk up toward Roosevelt.

Another suggestion would be to check out Grill Point for an excellent schwarma on laffa. It is right off of the Jewel Ave exit of the Van Wyck, easy on, easy off, and parking should not be a problem.

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Grill Point
69-54 Main St, Queens, NY 11367

[dimsumfan]

Keep in mind I'll probably arrive at a restaurant around 11am, so hopefully just ahead of bad lunchtime parking. From the Flushing area, I think I'd have to be on the road right at noon to get to JFK at 12:30?

Thanks for the suggestions so far (I'll check out Grill Point online), and keep them coming!

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Grill Point
69-54 Main St, Queens, NY 11367

[missmasala]

If you want to watch some noodles being pulled, then golden mall is good, or may I suggest Uncle Zhou? not sure how close it is to 495, but some handpulled or knife-shaved noodles and some lamb dumplings might just hit the spot.

Also, the Ganesh Temple Canteen in Flushing might be good, tho check if they are open for weekday lunches. vegetarian south indian food.

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Ganesh Temple Canteen
45-57 Bowne St, Queens, NY 11355

Uncle Zhou
83-29 Broadway, Queens, NY 11373

[TongoRad]

When I worked in the area I used to get lunch at the canteen all of the time- I'm sure they're still doing it. I love the rava masala dosa there, and their sambar was my fave in the city.

dimsumfan- bring an appetite, you might just have time to do all of these places in the time you have alotted:)