Spoon University, also known as Spoon U, has a chapter at St. John’s. The team has been traveling all over through the quarantine adventures of trying out and support local businesses in their areas of the students but also making a connection for us who live in the area of our Queens campus.
Queens, New York has been known to be one of the most diverse boroughs in all of New York City. From Caribbean food to traditional Asian food, Queens is the definition and place to visit if you want to experience the true form of what living in the “melting pot” of New York is.
Here are their top picks for great eats around campus:
1. Acquista Trattoria – Located on Union Turnpike
According to their website, Acquista Trattoria is owned and operated by the Acquista family who brings a wealth of experience into this Queens eatery. We pride ourselves on our fresh food, delicious plates, generous portions, a friendly atmosphere, and reasonable pricing. The Spoon U team states that it is a “great local Italian restaurant” and they “love how close it is to campus”, especially when there are cravings of comfort food.
2. Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao – Located in Flushing, NY
The restaurant states, “Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao has been selected as Michelin-recommended Shanghainese food for 9 consecutive years since 2007 and has been featured on various media and websites such as New York Magazine, Eater, Gothamist, Grub Street, Serious Eats, and many more as ‘The City’s Best Soup Dumplings’.” The Spoon U team votes this spot to be the “best place to get quality soup dumplings at an affordable price.”
3. Mad For Chicken – Located in Flushing, NY
Mad for Chicken is known for its crispy, Korean-style fried chicken. According to the restaurant, “We first opened our doors in 2006, in Flushing NY and we’ve been flapping our wings ever since. Our chicken has impacted our community so much so that we’ve expanded our franchise to Brooklyn NY where we continue to provide superior food and service. Our chicken is shipped daily from Fredericksburg, PA, and made fresh from our farm to your plate.” For all of the Red Storm students, this fried chicken is the best in the area and beats out chains by far.
4. Prince Tea House – Located in Flushing, NY
Prince Tea House is a staple for all of the tea lovers out there. The Spoon U team labels this as the “cute brunch/dessert place.” They have become a chain in NYC and “hit the spot” on the brunch lovers’ stomachs.
5. 5 Burro Cafe – Located in Forest Hills, NY
5 Burro Cafe is the local Mexican place kicks Chipotle to the curb. With the traditional Mexican flare, you will always be coming back for more.
6. Martha’s Country Bakery – Located in Forest Hills, NY
Martha’s Country Bakery is the place to go if you are looking for something sweet. According to the bakery itself, “Martha’s Bakery was founded with the goal of providing our customers with classic American baked goods in a warm, friendly atmosphere. By baking all our products on-site, we fill our stores with the delicious smells of fresh cakes and pies to bring back that delightful, warm feeling every time of the year. Each day, we bake everything from scratch using the finest ingredients.”
7. Sobol – Located in Astoria, NY
Sobol is the NYC and Long Island version of the infamous Playa Bowls from the Jersey Shore. According to Sobol, “Founded in 2014, SoBol is a cafe that specializes in acai bowls, green bowls, fruit smoothies & beyond. We believe that eating healthier alternatives should never be a chore. That’s why we pride our selves in blending our acai fresh each day, producing our own homemade granola, and topping our product with only the freshest of fruits. All of our product is real food for people looking for a delicious, quick, and affordable meal.”
8. New World Mall – Located in Flushing, NY
The New World Mall is the place to go if you are looking to experience the culture that Queens has to offer. With a little bit of everything accessible, the mall says that their mall feature“an exciting food court in the lower level with over 32 different Ethnic food vendors. With a wide range of foods from different areas of North and South-East Asia; stalls offer Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese foods including bento boxes and sushi, ramen noodles, and more. In addition, the food court offers a great choice of fast foods.” Spoon U is “a food publication by and for our generation featuring recipes, restaurant reviews, personal stories, and hacks to help you ‘adult.’” If you would like to follow the St. John’s Chapter, follow their Instagram.