Roosevelt Avenue became a completely different place when the sun went down and out came arepas, chuzos and transvestites on Saturday, August 21.
During the first annual Midnight Crawl, over 180 people arrived at the Manuel De Dios Unanue Triangle at 83rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue to explore everything Roosevelt Avenue had to offer. Language guides and point of interest game boards were given to guide people around the area.
“We are confused because we don’t know where to begin, but very excited to finally visit the area and learn more about the community,” said Gunita Suri, who was attending the event. “We just can’t wait to eat a lot!”
A pre-crawl warm-up took place at the ultra-cool Colombian Terraza 7 Train Cafe on Gleane Street, Meson Asturias on 83rd Street, where a Flamenco show took place and the taco cart at Mi Mexico Lindo at Gleane Street and Roosevelt Avenue.
“I want to learn about a place that has good food that normally I wouldn’t try on my own,” said Diane Eisenstat, on Long Island City residents. “After tonight we can always come back to the restaurants and that’s the best part.”
Last month was the second annual Roosevelt Avenue Street Food Crawl, where close to one hundred people scoured the neighborhood of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona. But the Midnight Crawl took a slightly different route – starting at the plaza and going west – stopping at The Arepa Lady, taco trucks, chuzo stands, halal carts, gay bars, strip clubs and more before finally settling at an Irish pub in Woodside.
“I was trying to think of the most awesome thing and this was it,” said Jeff Orlick, creator of the event. “I just want to share the big Roosevelt Avenue scene with everyone. I also know that many people need an excuse to go into some of these bars and this is the perfect one.”
