Julie C. of @Gustasian’s Food Guide to Sunnyside

By Julie C., @Gustasian

We have been following Sunnyside local Julie on Instagram @Gustasian for a while now and always enjoy reading her latest food features in the neighborhood and beyond. Her thoughtful posts highlight the cultural and historical significance of the food she features and we are excited to share her Food Guide to Sunnyside, Queens below. Enjoy! (Each recommendation’s image is linked to Julie’s original post on Instagram.)

From childhood, my 7 subway station stops were solely to express station stops where I lived or transferred to other subway lines to travel to school, work, or the annual U.S. Tennis Open.  I was always curious about the neighborhoods served by local stations that the 7 Express flew past.  Sunnyside always looked like a community from the elevated outdoor vantage of this subway line.  I promised that I would get off at the 46 Street Station one day and explore.  I did then moved to this tiny neighborhood.

New Yorkers prefer doing everything within a geographic orbit of three to four blocks from their residences. The subway trestle along Queens Boulevard creates a permeable border between Sunnyside residences living north and south of the Boulevard.  It is not uncommon to (comically) hear residents saying “Oh, that’s far away at the other side of Sunnyside (five blocks away).”  As a native New York City denizen, I am guilty of this with my home and work neighborhoods also.  However, food is different.  I cross that Boulevard many times when a craving hits.

Sunnyside is a diverse community.  Based on the eateries, there is a noticeable higher representation of Turkish, Romanian, and Irish people here. Sunnyside should not be a flyover subway station. Hop off and enjoy food on both sides of the Boulevard. Here are my most frequented stops and favorite items.

Southside of Queens Boulevard

Breakfast

 Cafe Bliss and Organic Juice Bar’s Indian Spiced Eggs

Non-Alcoholic Beverage

Mr. Buncha’s Butterfly Pea Yuzu or Milk Black Tea with less sugar.

Ricas Pupusas y Mas’ Salvadoran Horchata is not to be missed.

Pastry

Arsi’s Pateseria’s flaky Spinach and Cheese Boreks.

Pizza

 Everything at Philomena’s, but especially the New York slice.

Prepared Food

Taiyo Market for Japanese donburi, which can be microwaved at the store.  The rice bowls selection can be curry, teriyaki, or mixed with egg.

Romanian

Danubius’ Mititei

Sandwich

Bolivian Llama Party’s Sandwich de Chola. If you are still hungry, order the Picante de Pollo entrée.

Snack

Ricas Pupusas y Mas for the regular masa or rice pupusas. Try the rice ones for a slightly crispier texture.

Turkish

Sofra’s Mezze Platter, which is vegetarian.

Thai

Thai Diva’s Khao Soi, but ask for the dark meat chicken.

46 Street Station

Street Vendor

At the street level of the 7 Train Station is a Tamales with Rajas vendor, who sells assorted tamales from a shopping cart only during the mornings at Bliss Plaza.

Northside of Queens Boulevard

Beer

Alewife Brewing crafts beer on premise with a rotating food truck lineup.

Breakfast

Talavera Café’s Tacos Aztecas

Brunch

Dawa’s brunch, plus their freshly baked sourdough loafs and their Himalayan region menu.

Dessert

Chakra Café’s Chocolate Baklava, which always sells out.

Ecuadorian

Rincon Melania’s Bolon Mixto, Yapingachos, and Tomate de Arbol dessert.

Indian

2021 Michelin Bib award winner Cardamom’s dishes from Goa.

Japanese

Ariyoshi has a wide selection of cooked comfort food.  Try the Mentaiko Spaghetti if looking to try something different.

Prepared Food

Souk El Shater’s Lebanese Baked Chicken with Wheatberry if part of the daily steam table’s rotation.

Sushi

Takesushi – Chef Robin is a legend personally traveling to Japan to select the fish he serves. 

Vegan

I Am Thai’s Vegan Menu

Non Alcoholic Beverages

Cooldown Juice’s cold press organic juices.

Firefly New York’s Mocha Frappe

Pizza

Sunnyside Pizza’s sesame seed crust is great.

---

Want to submit your guide to the neighborhood? Let us know! Email us using the form below or at jcho@sunnysideshines.org. We will be in touch shortly.