Ihawan

Along Roosevelt Ave, extending two blocks to both the north and the south, and stretching from Woodside to Corona, exists the greatest density of delicious dens of food that has ever clustered along a single block. It arguably represents the Ideal of ethnic eating in NY. Fuck the stuffed bear; this is Teddy's greatest legacy. Two blocks of this treasure, between Woodside and Jackson Heights, are dedicated to Filipino restaurants and grocers.

With little to help us select which tasty store to visit, we started with Ihawan, which has been touted for it's barbecued meats.



Of course, no Filipino meal should begin with anything other than Lumpia. Fried pork is always the best way to build up your appetite. Ihawan's were suitable.

Various fruit shakes are here for you including avocado and durian if you dare. Sadly, they were out of Sisig.


Now to the bbq. It was fine. But really, Filipino food is about two things pork and pork. I mean pork and adobo (pork). I'm all about Pata and Sisig and Lumpia and all those great things. The desire to follow the recommendations toward charcoal grilled chicken proved to be foolhardy.
What Ihawan served us was good - some was very good. But it wasn't memorable. You can certainly do worse and I am willing to go back and continue my ordering. But next time walking Ol' Roosey's Ave, and feel like some Filipino, another of the spots will be selected. And when that time comes, I'll report back here (which I've been meaning to do more often).



Info: 2nd floor by the tracks. 4006 70th St. Also, I think there is an Ihawan 2 in Long Island City.

Grubby: Izalco

If, by some chance an outside reader has stumbled upon this blog, I should explain that I lead a
motley gaggle of degenerates on weekly excursions in search of food, delicious encounters, kitsch, booze and general bizarreness. Food Adventure #2 took the crew on Robert Sietsema's trail of the great El Salvadoran cuisine of Queens. In one afternoon we hit up three resturaunts in two different Queens neighborhoods. Pupusas aplenty.




Our first stop took us to Woodside and the delicious Izalco. Izalco won the prize for best all-around Salvadoran, thanks I'm sure to a 4-foot abuelita in the kitchen. Tons-o-kitsch here with mirrored ceilings, stuffed armadillo and a "pink clam" not attached to a woman in the women's bathroom.

Pupusas came with a beautiful rainbow slaw of vinegar and spice. The horchata and tamarindo was enjoyed by most (I preferred Gallo). "Enchiladas" bore no resemblance to the mole and cheese creations of Mexico. These were more like tostadas with a bunch of salsa-ey chopped stuff on top. Superb. The salpicon is a must try. Micro-chopped beef, onions, lime, parsley, etc, served as a cold "salad". The soft elote tamales may have been my fav.

Really, every meal should come with sides of crema. The sweet cream made the fried plantains.


We left full, but with two more restaurants on our list we needed some liquid sustenance...

Info: 64-05 Roosevelt, Queens

Boozey: The MF Scorpion Bar

So, you've just filled up on pupusas and salpicon, you want a drink but don't want to step foot in
another Irish pub. And you have a craving for bodacious tittays. Scorpion is your place.


Maybe a shady hostess bar or just a futbol bar with T&A, the Scorpion served us what we needed: drinks at cheap prices, pool and crazy big boobs.

If anyone reads this and has any more info on this place - give us the scoop.


Info: ? (Sorry for no pics of the barmaids!)