The United Kitchens in the Borough of Global Eats

Overview

We’ll start our day off in bustling Corona Plaza, in the shadow of the elevated tracks of the 7 train, for a visit to a family-run Mexican bakery and, not far away, a taste of handmade tortillas and, on the weekends, pit-roasted goat. Also near the plaza, we’ll stop into a small bakery and café, owned by an immigrant who got his start toiling in the back kitchens of Manhattan restaurants, for a traditional cemita, the behemoth sandwich that’s the pride and joy of Puebla, Mexico. From there our walk will continue along Roosevelt Avenue, the area’s main artery and Queens’s own version of the Pan-American Highway, ducking into markets and stopping by vendors representing Mexico, Ecuador and Argentina. On a side street, we’ll drop by a Colombian “fast food” joint for that country’s almost surreal take on the New York hot dog, with topping options that include cheese, ham, bacon, eggs, pineapple and crushed potato chips. We’ll end our Queens food tour at a neighborhood café.