Shackin’ Up at Rockaway Taco with the fishes

I was introduced to Edible Queens magazine by a friend.  Now that I know it is available for free at the information desk at the Queens Center Mall, I’ll be stopping by to pick one up.  My friends who let me tag along (after I got an unexpected Saturday off) with them to the beach showed me the article entitled, “Shackin’ Up.”  A restaurateur had a vision for Far Rockaway and made it happen.  My friends had already planned on stopping by Rockaway Taco for lunch and even though we thought we would miss the crowd because we went around 2pm, it was clearly not the case when we arrived.  Was there a long line?  Yes.  Was there a 30 minute wait?  Yes.  Was there seating available?  Not really.  Was it worth the wait?  Yes, it certainly was.  Molly even said she’d go out of her way to have their fish taco.  I’d have to agree.  Everything was fresh.  The chips came straight out of the fryer.  The fish tacos were absolutely perfect in texture, taste, dressing, and size.  The cucumber salad was crisp and refreshingly dressed.  The elotes looked really good.  I tried the tofu taco but it wasn’t my favorite fusion dish.  The tofu was marinated well but I would have preferred to eat it over rice.  Oh but that fish taco…was in my dream that night!

Rockaway Taco menu

Chips and Guac, Tofu Taco, and Fish Taco

Cemitas, Elotes, Pandebono, Tamales

It is absolutely amazing to see the variety of foods that are available in Jackson Heights.  I am trying to get a handle on the different kinds of Latin foods in the neighborhood.  I heard that the neighborhood used to be primarily Colombian for a couple of decades but has seen a huge influx of all other Latinos over the years.  There are four foods that have become a staple in my diet (besides tacos, the authentic kind, not the Taco Bell kind).  The first being Pandebono.  A Colombian friend introduced these to me.  It is a bread made from cassava, cheese, and eggs.  It is quite easy to get fresh baked Pandebono in Jackson Heights and there was a time that I was eating them everyday.

I discovered Cemitas at a Mexican restaurant on 82nd street near Roosevelt.  Although I’m pretty sure that Cemitas are not necessarily breakfast food, I’ve been eating the Chorizo con Huevo Cemita (sausage and egg) for breakfast.  It comes with chorizo, egg, lettuce, tomato, cheese, hot sauce, Mexican cheese, and papalo (an herb) and avocado on a hearty bun.

Elotes are corn on the cob.  Near my place they serve them grilled or boiled with mayonnaise, grated cheese, and chili powder, although I’ve read about a number of variations on this including the use of lime.

And God bless the ladies who sell fresh tamales right by the subway stations in Jackson Heights.  Perfectly steamed masa with tender chicken or pork inside, with or without jalapeño peppers.  Red sauce or green sauce (or hot pink, haven’t tried that kind yet).  For a dollar you can grab a nice hearty breakfast for the train ride.

Other cart foods abound in the neighborhood that are stocked with sweet looking treats and also things such as arepas and quesadillas.  Would you consider them in direct competition with the Halal or Teriyaki carts?  Hmmm.

Half a Cemita served with roasted jalapeno