Local Eats Miniseries The Outer Boroughs COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Local Eats Miniseries The Outer Boroughs COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog Alas, its our final post on our favorite restaurants throughout NYC. Weve covered Columbia University spots  and  Manhattan joints. So today, were focusing on restaurants throughout the four outer boroughs. Why did we combine them all into one post? Well, we find that when youre reliant on public transportation, you tend to stick to areas you know best (such as CU and Manhattan). Plus, there are hundreds of amazing food options in Manhattan alone, so it may be a while before you fully explore outer-borough cuisines. Arepas Grill (Queens) 21-19 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106 (718) 355-9686 |  vwww.arepasnyc.com It is a relatively inexpensive restaurant that serves Venezuelan specialties. Small and cozy, this restaurant offers some of the best arepas in town.   Word of caution: arepas can be addictive! Dario Martinez, MIA 15 Bergn  (Brooklyn)   899 Bergen St, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 857-2335 | www.ramenburger.com Home to  the famous ramen burger, and voted  one of The 17 Most Influential Burgers of All Time, Bergn is worth the trek. Chef Keizo Shimamoto serves this perfect blend of American and Japanese culture out of a simple stand  in Bergns beer hall. He offers a variety of burgers including traditional beef, veggie, and chicken (yakitoi) all on a house-made ramen bun.  This item has foodies from around the world lining up to get a taste. The ramen burger can also be found at Williamsburgs famous Smorgasburg, which is an all-food market that happens every Saturday (starting in April) on the Williamsburg waterfront at East River State Park. Tinsley Corbett, MPA 15 Briskettown (Brooklyn) 359 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11211 (718) 701-8909 | www.delaneybbq.com “Actually, I was a bit unsure as to whether I should reveal this secret or simply keep it to myself. I am, however, a proud carnivore and I could not keep this secret in good conscience. Neatly tucked under the Williamsburg Bridge, like a border outpost between old-time Brooklyn and hyper-gentrified Williamsburg, Briskettown is about slow-smoked meat, delicious sides, and fresh-made pie. From the outside, it’s almost non-descript place (small tin sign, etc.) but inside rests the best briskets, pulled porks and sausages I have ever eaten in my life. I once took an out-of-town friend there to eat. He ended up asking if the owner would adopt him. It’s that good.” Selim Sazak, MIA ‘15 Pies ‘n’ Thighs (Brooklyn) 166 S. 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (347) 529-6090 | www.piesnthighs.com Pies ‘n’ Thighs is a great spot in Brooklyn if your taste buds are in the mood for comfort food. I absolutely love the fried catfish box, which I get with mac ‘n cheese and French fries. It’s famous for its homemade donuts, and has earned awards from Bon Appetit magazine for its apple pie and fried chicken. Kaitlyn Wells, Assistant Director of Admissions Robertas  (Brooklyn) 261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206 (718) 417-1118 | www.robertaspizza.com Best pizza in the entire city.   Its worth hopping on the subway to make an evening full of pizza, beer, and good friends.   Eclectic with a hipster ambiance. Eric Medina, MPA 15 Salvatores of Soho (Bronx) 3738 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463 (718) 432-6100/ www.salvatoresofsoho.com Great little Italian place on the corner of the block. You can’t beat the smell of Italian food hitting you before you get to the door. I would recommend any of the pizza’s or eggplant parmigiana. Great place to eat if you are on a budget and want to have a good dining experience. Nina-Marie Rivera, Associate Director of Admissions Spring Street Natural  (SoHo) 62 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012 (212) 966-0290  |  www.springstreetnatural.com (I rarely venture outside Manhattan, so SoHo FEELS like an outer borough!) Spring Street Natural is the rare combination of neighborhood-y, delicious and large.   Every other restaurant that has the previous two qualities, in my experience in NYC dining is tiny.   SSN has a huge menu of healthy options.   Im personally a huge fan of the veggie burger, and its almost always my go-to spot for brunch.   There is never a wait, and its right down the block from the SoHo SoulCycle, another favorite NYC spot! Lauren Podber, MIA 14 SriPraPhai Thai (Queens) 64-13 39th Ave,  Woodside, NY 11377 (718) 899-9599 |  www.sripraphairestaurant.com If you’re a foodie, you’ll love this place.   It’s authentic and delicious. Cash only. Grace Han, Executive Director of Admissions Financial Aid Sugar Freak (Queens) 36-18 30th Ave,  Astoria, NY 11103 (718) 726 5850|  www.sugarfreaknyc.com Its hard to find good cajun cooking in New York City. Sugar Freak is among one of the best restaurants for delicious specialities from Louisiana. The owners are from New Orleans and aim to bring NOLA charm to NYC. While this is one of my favorite places in Astoria, definitely check out other spots close to Sugar Freak as Astoria has some of the citys best restaurants. Tip:  Check out their websites blogs for frequent offers and restaurant specials. Katherine McGehee, MIA 15