Ep 4. Queens NY: World's Best Food Town

Queens, New York, is an international melting pot with residents from all corners of the globe. In this episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, we get a glimpse at the diverse culinary landscape of the borough, which Zimmern proclaims as the "world's best food town."

The journey begins in Flushing, where Zimmern samples some of the best Chinese food outside of China. He starts with soup dumplings at the famous Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, where diners watch as the delicate parcels are filled with hot broth and pork before being steamed and served. From there, Zimmern tries the traditional Peking duck at Zhu Ji Guan, where the crispy skin and succulent meat are wrapped in thin pancakes with scallions, cucumber, and plum sauce.

Next up is Jackson Heights, where Zimmern explores the Indian food scene. He tries chaat, a beloved street food that features a mixture of different ingredients, usually fried crisps, chickpeas, potatoes, yogurt, and tamarind chutney. At Patel Brothers, a massive Indian grocery store, Zimmern discovers the makings of a masala, a blend of spices that's the backbone of Indian cooking.

In Astoria, it's all about Greek food. Zimmern starts with a quintessential Greek dish: moussaka. Layers of eggplant, ground meat, and béchamel sauce make for a hearty and flavorful meal. At Gregory's 26 Corner Taverna, he samples an assortment of mezze, small plates that are meant to be shared. Zimmern tries taramasalata, a dip made from fish roe, lemon juice, and olive oil; zucchini fritters with tzatziki, a yogurt and cucumber sauce; and grilled octopus with lemon and olive oil.

No visit to Queens would be complete without exploring the Latin American food scene. In Corona, Zimmern stops at Tortilleria Nixtamal, where they use organic, non-GMO corn to make tortillas from scratch. From there, it's on to Mama's Empanadas, where Zimmern tastes an assortment of the savory pastries, stuffed with everything from cheese and chicken to beef and potatoes.

Lastly, Zimmern heads to the heart of Queens—Jamaica—to try the Caribbean cuisine. At Sybil's, a Jamaican restaurant and bakery, Zimmern tries jerk chicken, a spicy and flavorful dish that's synonymous with the island. He also samples ackee and saltfish, a traditional breakfast dish made with a fruit that's related to lychee and scrambled eggs. At Golden Krust, a chain of Caribbean restaurants, Zimmern tries the patty, a pastry filled with seasoned meat or vegetables that's a staple in Jamaican cuisine.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern speaks with the chefs and restaurateurs who make Queens' food scene so special. He learns about the history and culture behind each dish, and he explores the neighborhoods that make up this incredible food town. Whether it's Chinese soup dumplings or Jamaican jerk chicken, Queens' culinary diversity is unmatched, and Zimmern's journey through the borough is a delicious celebration of everything it has to offer.