Author Archives: ra125058

By Rumi

As my first blog post was about the multicultural restaurants and shops at Jackson Heights, this time I will introduce you to a popular Bengali restaurant called Merit Kabab Palace. It is a small restaurant on 74^th Street and Roosevelt Avenue.

Merit Kabab Palace.
Photo: Rumi

Merit Kabab Palace became a popular place for all types of customers, including Bengali, Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Arabic and American folks. When the restaurant opened in 2006, it started with few dishes and couple of tables. Gradually, the restaurant started offering more authentic Bengali dishes to customers, and people started to like its foods, not only because of the desi-fragrances (adding various masalas: chili, cumin, garam-masala), but also make them delicious.

The food menu
Photo: Rumi

Chicken biriany is the most popular dish at Merit Kabab Palace. Light gravy chicken with snowy basmati rice makes the dish delicious. Everyday they sell at least 50 chicken biriany ($8.00). Besides the chicken biriany, samosa, tea, kababs with naan are other popular dishes in the restaurant.

Inside at the restaurant.
Photo: Rumi

If you prefer to sit down and eat at the restaurant, lunch hour is the best time to go. You might find the place a little congested and no empty table to sit, however, one of the Bengali hosts will approach to you with smile and arrange a place for you.

You can also order to deliver the food. Enjoy and share the experience, if you go there soon.

By Rumi

Jackson Heights is an example of the melting pot in New York. People from the East, Mid-West, and West live in the neighborhood for a long time. They bring and share new cultures into the neighborhood. People who moved into the neighborhood are cultural lovers and like to enjoy its colorful atmosphere.

Kabir’s Bakery, a popular Bengali bakery in Jackson Heights. Photo by rumi.

If you like to explore about new cultures, you can certainly go to Jackson Heights. And if you start walking from the 74th street towards to 82nd street on 37th Avenue, you will be amazed to discover within one avenue how many different cultures shifted one to another. They have so many Indian, Bengali, Italian, Thai, Chinese and Hispanic restaurants, clothing stores, groceries, and small coffee shops there.

Jackson Diner is a famous place for authentic Indian cuisine. Photo by rumi.

Everyday people come Jackson Heights from other cities, states and countries for visiting, shopping and dining. It is a popular place for women’s accessories and clothes. It is also one of the most searchable places for Asian foods and restaurants.

Feeling to have pasta at lunch? Armond’s Italian Restaurant is a great place to go. Photo by rumi.

Jackson Heights has a big MTA subway station. It has several train and bus services, including 7, E, F, R, M trains and Q33, Q47, Q48 and Q32 buses. Therefore, it is pretty easy to get there by public transportation.

Sari, traditional clothing for South Asian women. Photo by rumi.

So, if you are an adventurer who likes to know about different cultures, Jackson Heights will be a great place to start.