Kevin N. 
Moving to Jackson Heights? Here’s a list of
Our Favorite Jackson Heights Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- 5 Burro Cafe (72-05 Austin St, Forest Hills): This small but spirited Mexican joint has been a Forest Hills institution for over 30 years and is always packed for a reason. Here, you’ll find the best skirt steak in Queens, prized for its flavor over tenderness, plus margaritas that come in multiple variations to fit any taste bud and spice tolerance.
- Taqueria Coatzingo (7605 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights): Pretty much any meat can be put in a taco, so if you have it, taco it. Taqueria Coatzingo takes that mentality to heart. On the menu, there are shrimp, pig ear, and beef tongue options, and for the perennially peckish, complimentary chips and salsa.
- Q’ Rico No Manches (79-11 Jamaica Ave, Queens): Q’ Rico No Manches serves classic Mexican tacos with some Tex-Mex options (like nachos). The birria quesadilla with consommé hits the spot, but the whole menu has earned a loyal following among taco lovers. The owner is super friendly and proud… and for good reason.
- Tacoway Beach (302 Beach 87th St, Far Rockaway): This trendy taqueria is located on an unassuming street in Far Rockaway. It’s a legit surf bar, with board lockers and live music, but the real star is the “Baja” style fish tacos: zesty, creamy sauce with flakey white fish. Run (or surf), don’t walk.
- Don Tequila Urban Cantina (83-38 Woodhaven Blvd, Glendale): More cantina than taqueria (the main difference being that cantinas are for drinking and socializing, while taquerias are for quick eats), but Don Tequila Urban Cantina offers the best of both worlds. The menu is loaded with Mexican options (quesadillas, flautas, guacamole, fajitas, and empanadas), and there’s a full bar to match.
- AY GUEY NYC Cantina (30-86 51st St, Queens): Astoria/Woodside locals swear by the guacamole with chorizo, grilled octopus, and fish tacos, which taste like home-cooked food. Plus, with Mexican artwork decorating the walls, this cantina is a treat for both your taste buds and your eyes.
- Birria Landia (77-05 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights): Food trucks like Birria Landia pioneered the Mexican birria craze in New York. At Birria Landia, in particular, there are only a few items on the menu, which means a high turnover of ingredients, so you can expect juicy, slow-cooked, fall-apart meat every time.
