Jeffrey Tastes tours cover many authentic eateries in Queens, New York.

Food tours in Queens tickle taste buds

© 2012 Group Tour Media Article,
June 21, 2012

Many people think they know New York City; they’ve seen it on TV a million times, watched movies set in NYC and maybe even visited a few times.

But that’s not the same as living there. Queens resident Jeff Orlick is the ultimate insider, and he’s eager to show off his borough and its culinary scene.

“I’m very excited to do the food tours,” he said. “They’re fun for me and hopefully for the participants too. When I first moved here, it was so overwhelming. You need a guide for this area.”

Jeffrey Tastes tours aren’t limited to Queens, but the majority of the culinary outings take place in the second-largest borough of New York City.

Orlick’s neighborhood is no ordinary place with chain restaurants and the same old burger joints. Queens is one of the most diverse communities anywhere, reflected in its eateries as much as its people.

On the Taste of the World tour, small groups will embark on a virtual world tour one taste at a time. As the tour progresses through different enclaves — Jackson Heights, Woodside and Elmhurst — the group encounters authentic cuisine from cultures as far flung as those of Tibet and Ecuador.

“We can walk around the world,” Orlick said. “People leave full, and it’s eye-opening.”

The flavors of the Himalayans, the Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine, often prove to be favorites, Orlick noted. It’s only been in the last few years these cuisines have been available in Queens.

The three-hour daytime tour includes plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages for one price. 

	In Queens, groups can sample the world's best cuisines.

Besides its diversity, the Queens food scene is known for its availability. The sidewalks don’t roll up at 8 p.m. after the last dinner has been served. There’s a large, hungry crowd who wants good food long after the sun has set.

Groups can join in the fun with the Midnight Street Food Crawl. After sunset, Roosevelt Avenue from Jackson Heights to Corona springs to life. Small, authentic eateries and street food proprietors serve food that the locals crave.

“When I started doing the midnight crawl, I was working late at the time,” Orlick said. “That’s when all of the workers in the Manhattan bars and restaurants were coming home late at night and wanting their food.”

A third tour takes place after sunrise. The Queens Fiesta Crawl covers the same ground along Roosevelt Avenue, visiting Mexican and Ecuadorian eateries adding in some other Latin tastes.

All of Jeffrey Tastes’ public tours typically include 10 people or fewer, but larger groups can arrange for custom tours. Tour planners also can request customized tours, and they don’t need to be shy about making requests.

“I’m very into experimenting with my tours,” Orlick said. “People are always throwing me challenges.”

Contact Orlick and Jeffrey Tastes at http://iwantmorefood.com/tours or jeffsayyes@gmail.com.

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