Jackson Heights Insider

Hola vecina/o! Last week I was talking about the importance of “third spaces” – those cozy spots where you’re not at work, not at home, but somehow feel completely yourself. I think it’s fair to say that Espresso 77 nails it. Dating back to 2010, Afzal and Julie turned an architect’s dream into the kind…

Hey neighbor! My friend Tony Bacigalupo once wrote about the best gathering spots in his town of Norwalk, and it got me thinking about what that looks like here in Jackson Heights. Apart from the obvious ones like Espresso 77, The Queensboro, Travers Park, Jax Inn Diner, EJ’s barbershop and Nancy Blakes, here are some…

Hey neighbor, Usually I like to start this newsletter with good vibes, little wins, and neighborhood cheer. This week, though, it’s impossible to ignore something heavier. If you’ve ever eaten at The Queensboro, you probably know Dino – he’s been there since the early days, always smiling and welcoming everyone. Sadly, he was recently taken…

Hey friend, It’s always uplifting to meet neighbors who roll up their sleeves for the community. Yesterday I caught up with Jonathan Forgash from Queens Together. His group helped feed more than 300,000 people during the toughest days of the pandemic, and they’re still working to support restaurants across Queens. It’s great to see the…

Hola amigos, I spent the weekend hanging out at the World’s Borough Bookshop on 34th ave and 73rd st… and it was a blast! Saturday’s ”jackson heights in a cup” was a feast that mixed latin american and south asian flavors: desi chicken pastelito, fluffy conchas, fusion agua frescas, even an ice kaapi-chata. Then on…

Hello neighbor, Jackson Heights got some well-deserved love online this week in this Reddit thread. People raved about the Roosevelt Ave station being the best transfer point in Queens (five subway lines plus buses to everywhere), and no surprise, many mentioned the food… everything from samosas to arepas to dumplings within a few blocks. And…

Your guide to Aug 26–31 2025 in Jackson Heights: races, live music, crafts, and the biggest farmers market in Queens.

Hey neighbor, This week was full of discoveries. The Evergreen building on 80th and Roosevelt? Originally a hotel, tower and all. The mystery spot on 35th Ave? The Fillmore, with a design that still leaves people wide-eyed. On the practical side, talk of broker fees and rising rents reminded us that conversations here range from…

Hey neighbor, In case you missed it: we had a real earthquake this week, a small one but enough for a few coffee cups to rattle. El Coyote on Northern Blvd has changed its name and sparked mixed reviews. Some love the fresh take, others miss the old menu. Walgreens on 82nd is closing after…

Aug 5–11 2025 in Jackson Heights: Ecuadorian Day Parade, jazz concerts, coding workshops, and more local gems to check out.