Jeffrey Tastes – Queens Qustodian

Below are guides and some of my past large-scale crawls:

The Roosevelt Avenue Midnight Crawl

Roosevelt Avenue is a completely different animal when the sun goes down. Nearing midnight, out come arepas, chuzos and transvestites. We’re going to explore everything Roosevelt Avenue has to offer without sitting down. I will provide a language guide and a point of interest game board to guide people on their way.

In 2010 was the 2nd annual Roosevelt Avenue Street Food Crawl, we had around 100 people scouring the neighborhood from Jackson Heights and Elmhurst to Corona. This crawl takes a slightly different route, starting at the plaza at 83rd Street and Roosevelt and going west stopping at arepa ladies, taco trucks, chuzo stands, halal carts, gay bars, strip clubs and more before finally settling at an Irish pub in Woodside.

Facebook event page
Here are my Tips for the Crawl
Roosevelt Avenue Midnight Crawl wrap-up
more info below…

This is my dream: A huge group of eaters doing the walk down Roosevelt at midnight. In the heat, in the frenzy under the 7.

When? The Midnight Crawl was on on Saturday, Aug 21st, 2010. There were over 200 people in attendance.

Where did it start? The Manuel De Dios Unanue Triangle (83rd & Roosevelt). Take the 7 train to get to the express station at 82nd Street.

Starting at 10pm, we will warm up for the crawl at the ultra-cool Colombian ex-pat bar, Terraza 7 Train Cafe on Gleane Street, Meson Asturias (83rd St) where they should be having a Flamenco show, and the taco cart Mexico Linda at Gleane and Roosevelt. I will start walking at 11pm, but you can start whenever you want.

Where does it end? Starting Gate Irish bar in Woodside.
How much will we eat? a ton.
Is it all tacos? Noooo way! that’s boring! There’s arepas, chuzos, and halal carts along the way. Even at the taco carts, you can try quesadillas, tortas, gorditas and more. There is also a bar crawl element to the night. I have secured free covers and drink specials at many clubs and bars in the area. See list below.
How many people do I expect? Around 100. Maybe more.
What else? I will have a very special map and guides for ordering to help you along. When you meet us at the starting blocks, groups will form and go as you get hungry. We should have a long line of night crawlers along Roosevelt Avenue.

Bars and entertainment list:
9-10, 11-12pm - Meson Asturias – Flamenco dancing performance
10-11pm (Crawl warm-up period) – Terraza Number 7 Train Cafe - Happy Hour specials & Radio Jarocho (Mexican folk band)
Caja Musical – No cover
Los Recuerdos – $3 Beer/wine/well
Amor Karaoke – Not a karaoke bar. $2 plus tip for U-pick dances with girls.
Club Atlantis – No cover
Romanticos Gentleman’s Club – No cover
Lucho’s Place – Free before Midnight. $3 after.
Playground Thai Bar/Bistro – Happy Hour/singing competition?
Bum Bum Bar – No cover
1-3am – Starting Gate (end of the crawl) – Happy hour specials + beer garden

You know how we do it – no cost other than food. Rag tag group of Queensites and out-of-towners exploring the neighborhood, learning the cultures and eating the best food in the city. Let’s have fun.

Ecuadorian Cart

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The 2010 Street Food Crawl was nuts! Around 100 people attacking the avenue, eating and drinking everything in sight. It ended at Spaghetti Park, after the 2 jewels of frozen Queens, Timmy O’s and Ice King of Corona.

2010 Roosevelt Ave Street Crawl Recap
Handouts for the Roosevelt Ave Street Food Crawl – Map and Guide
Roosevelt Avenue Find – Cocada de Coco
Roosevelt Ave Crawl Highlight – Warren Street, Street Cart Corridor
Refrescos on Roosevelt Ave Guide – Respados, Jugos & much more
Roosevelt Ave’s Taco Cart Vegetarian Options

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The 2009 taco crawl was great! We had over 30 people and even the most seasoned veterans of Roosevelt Ave learned a lot. Smiles all around and lots of interest piqued.

Queens Times Ledger Article and Pictures
“Crawling for Tacos” Audio slideshow by Kerri MacDonald

By popular request, below is the hand drawn map from the 2009 Roosevelt Ave Street Food Crawl. Click the map to see a larger version.

Menu Help:
What is a Cemita?
74th Street Station Taco Cart Menu Translations
75th Ave NE Taco Cart Menu Translation
Tacos el Consentido Translations
99th Street Quesadillas Guide
El Guayaquileno Mini Picanteria Truck Guide
Pique Y Pase El Pepin Ecuadorian Truck
Beat the Heat – Nieves, Raspados, Kulfi, Paletas on Roosevelt Avenue
Ecuadorian Food Cart… Defined!

Night Trucks:
Midnight Scouting Tour (90th St – 111th St)
Los Cuatro Vientos Taco Truck