Astoria, Queens is super diverse. There’s a large Greek population too, which I wrote a previous post about.

I love Middle Eastern food. I’ve been a falafel fanatic for a few years now and I’m always on the look out for a good falafel.

I get very attached to the idea of falafels. They have extreme sentimental value to me; I can’t explain. There’s this great place in Boston that serves the best falafel I’ve ever had, and I think about that specific one way too often to admit.

But seriously, if you’re ever in the Boston area you need to try the chickpea fritter from Clover in Harvard Square (THERE’S HONESTLY NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT.)

I’m also learning more about Middle Eastern food, and I’ve learned so much about this type of cuisine just by visiting places in Astoria.

For example, I’ve learned that Middle Eastern sweets are to die for. Like, look at this form of this cashew baklava. Those layers. Look how many layers of phyllo dough! So satisfying for the taste buds and eyes. Perfection on every level.

Here are some of my favorite places in Astoria that serve up Middle Eastern staples all along Steinway street:

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Best of the Best Halal Truck

Located: On the corner of Steinway street and Broadway, Astoria, NY, 11103.

This halal truck seriously is the best. Or at least it is in my opinion. It’s easily accessible from the Steinway street subway station, and you can literally smell it from a block away.

When I walk past this food truck I sometimes salivate. Totally serious. The salivary glands that sit inside my cheeks, by my jaw bone and on the bottom of my mouth all come alive. The food smells (and of course tastes) so good. 

As you approach the truck there is usually a long line of people waiting for this delicious food. There is also usually Arabic music playing from the truck, which is a nice, homey addition.

My favorite thing to get is the chicken and lamb over rice combo. It comes with salad, french fries, and sometimes a few falafels if it’s not busy and if you’re lucky.

I usually cover my entire platter with white sauce. The more soup-like the better. I can’t handle spicy, so I usually don’t get any hot sauce but it’s a really popular condiment. The BBQ sauce is pretty good too.

Best of the Best is open super late every night, closing around 4 a.m. There are a ton of bars in the area so this food truck comes in handy for bar-goers who want food after a night of drinking. You’ll even find people in pajamas standing on line. Like me.

I definitely recommend checking out the Best of the Best halal truck. It’s super yummy, the staff is so friendly, and look how tricked out their truck is!

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Al-Sham Sweets & Pastries

Located: 24-39 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103.

This little sweet shop is welcoming and has an insane variety of baklava and other Middle Eastern desserts.

As soon as you walk in there are shelves of different types of pastries of every nut. I’ve noticed that many Middle Eastern desserts are nut and honey based. It smells so good and sweet in there.

I didn’t know which to choose from, there are so many options. So I basically compulsively ordered them all in a panic. There are baklava with pistachios, cashews, peanuts, almonds, walnuts and mixed nuts. My favorite were the pistachio ones!

They also have kanafeh, which is a big seller. It’s a cheese pastry soaked in a sweet, sugar-based syrup. There are two large round pans sitting on the counter, waiting to be served at the store.

Honestly, anything you get there will be delicious. Everything is such high quality. It’s all sweet and gooey and gratifying.

Al-Sham Sweets & Pastries is easy to get to from the Steinway street subway station, and it’s cash only!

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Mombar

Located: 25-22 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103.

This well known Egyptian restaurant is BYOB (bring your own bottle) and cash only. It has been mentioned in New York Magazine as a critic’s pick restaurant and was also featured on the Cooking Channel. It’s known for its unique cuisine and art-filled décor. Look how cool the exterior is!

At Mombar, everything is made from scratch, so expect to wait a little while for your food. My friend told me about this place a few years ago when we were trying to find somewhere a little different to go to for dinner. Neither of had ever had Egyptian food before and didn’t know what to expect, so we brought our other friends and we all decided to try it out. We were pleasantly surprised.

They serve couscous and rice in a pyramid shape, which is such a cute touch. They have a lot of different kinds of meat on the menu, such as rabbit, liver, beef, and chicken. They have interesting things on the menu such as lamb brain, lamb tongue, and lamb cheeks. I haven’t tried any of them, because I’m afraid to. But if you’re brave enough, you should! I read an article once that TV host Anthony Bourdain comes to Mombar especially for those unique meats.

They also have a great vegetarian menu such as couscous, egga (which is a light egg and vegetable pancake made with peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs), and hawashi (which are three kinds of mushrooms ground and spread between thin layers of homemade pita, lightly sautéed, and served on a bed of spicy tomatoes and yogurt.)

I definitely recommend checking Mombar out, the interior is even cooler than the exterior and the staff is so nice! The only thing is this place has no tap water– just bottled.

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King of Falafel and Shawarma

Located: 29-18 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11103 (temporarily moved to 31st street and broadway.)

This popular halal truck has been around since 2002 and has won the New York City Vendy award and the People’s Choice award.

It’s usually on the corner of a C-town supermarket, but it has been relocated due to renovations.

Their chicken over rice platter is what they are best known for. According to their website, boneless chicken thighs are marinated in seven different spices and left overnight. It’s then grilled with peppers and onions. It’s their best seller.

There’s always such a long line. It’s right underneath the Broadway subway station, some people get right off the train and head straight to the food truck. 

I really like their beef kebab. It’s chunks of hanger steak marinated with Middle Eastern spices that are charbroiled. They’re served on a stick, in a sandwich or over rice and salad. I like mine with rice and salad. They also stick in some falafel and they offer BBQ sauce, hot sauce and white sauce. I drown mine in flavorsome white sauce. So. good.

They have items on the menu with cool names such as the Big Daddy, the Ashley platter and Freddy’s Junior. View their full menu here.

Check this place out! It’s so good and has a really good reputation. It closes at midnight Monday through Saturday, and at 9:00 p.m. on Sundays.

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Thanks for reading this post about the Middle Eastern community of Astoria, Queens! I hope you enjoyed.

Astoria natives: Did I forget to mention your favorite Middle Eastern place? Tell me in the comments below!

Until next time!