There could be thousands of restaurants, take-outs and delis around Queens, but for sheer numbers and variety of eateries, Bell Boulevard in Bayside is undeniably “Restaurant Row.”
Auburndale has its hidden foodie gems like Durso’s Pasta & Ravioli Company and on Fresh Meadows’ major arteries like 188th Street and Union Turnpike there is variety galore for everyone from early birds to night owls – but for sheer numbers, Bayside is gastronomic paradise.
Admittedly, you can’t find “Chinese and American” at the Bell Tavern at 40-10 Bell Boulevard anymore. It’s gone, replaced by Cajun and American at Bourbon Street – which was the only Cajun food for miles around – until Cooking With Jazz, the Cajun/Creole mecca, reemerged on Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows.
But in the single mile between 48th and 35th Avenues encompassing the “strip” in Bayside, there are no less than 65 places for the hungry – and the thirsty – to get food and drink of every description – and that’s just on the Boulevard proper, not counting the places on adjacent blocks.
In how many hamlets do you have a choice of not just Greek but also Turkish; not just Thai but also French-Thai; American or Korean BBQ; more Japanese, Chinese or Italian than you could visit in a week; three Mexican places (and a Tex-Mex) or two classic diners including a retro 50’s stainless steel burger palace?
Speaking of burgers, Bell and Northern Boulevards marks the spot where one of the first enamel-steel prefabricated White Castle outlets was well-established by 1933. Today, you can still get a “slider” there, though they are not a nickel anymore.
And for those brave enough to try and sample all the different dishes that can be had along Bayside’s Boulevard of Broken Diets, there’s even a Lucille Roberts, to help you get back on the straight and narrow.
Bon appétit!
