An Afternoon in LIC
What this foodstroll is
Our favorite things to do and eat in Long Island City, Queens.
Why this foodstroll works
If you haven’t been to Long Island City recently, the extent of development along the waterfront might surprise you. There are playgrounds galore, wide open green spaces, and walking paths ideal for strolling. Getting there is fun thanks to several NYC Ferry terminals and a great bike path, which runs all the way from Astoria, Queens to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Amidst all the new development, there is some fascinating local history, and it can be found mere blocks away from Queen’s best food hall and NYC’s best Kansas City style BBQ.
Strolling
You could spend an hour or an entire afternoon in LIC, and it’s a 45 minute walk or 15 minute bike ride from the waterfront to John Brown and JACX & CO. You’ll pass through the historic district along the way.
LIC has two separate NYC Ferry terminals, Long Island City Gantry Plaza serviced by the Astoria Route, and Hunter’s Point South serviced by the East River Route. Bringing a bike costs an extra dollar, and the Ferry/Bike combo is our favorite way to visit the neighborhood.
The Long Island City waterfront is an expansive collection of outdoor spaces, parks and playgrounds along the East River. It has plenty of open spaces with great views of Midtown Manhattan, including the Empire State Building, United Nations, and Chrysler Building.
The famous Pepsi Cola sign is at the north end of the waterfront, near the Gantry Plaza ferry terminal. It was built in 1940 on the site of a former PepsiCola plant, and is a designated NYC Landmark.
The entire area is connected by several large paths, perfect for walking, biking, strolling and scooting. There’s a big dog park, public volleyball courts, basketball courts, four separate playgrounds, and an outdoor gym. If you get tired and can’t wait to eat, food trucks like the one pictured are always perched nearby.
On your way to the food spots you’ll pass by the tiny Hunters point Historic District. Constructed between 1870-1890 in predominantly the Italianate style, the homes are every bit as illustrious as you’ll find in more well known parts of NYC. The district is reminiscent of a prosperous past, when the the Long Island Railroad terminus was moved from Brooklyn to LIC in the 1860s, and the neighborhood became the Queens County Seat. The railroad terminus still exists today, beneath the busy I-495 Expressway!
Just blocks away from the HPHD is Court Square and the Long Island City Courthouse. The English Renaissance structure was built in 1876 (remodeled 1908) and has been the location of several famous NYC trials, including the convictions of bank robber Willie “the actor” Sutton, and murderers Ruth Snyder and her lover Henry Judd Gray. Several films have also been shot here, including Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Wrong Man”.
There are loads of bike paths in LIC, and biking around is a great way to explore the neighborhood. The scenic path up Vernon Blvd connects to another path that runs directly from Queensbridge Park to Queens Plaza near the food spots. There’s some great street art along the way.
Speaking of Queensbridge Park, it’s a picturesque small green space beneath the historic Queensborough Bridge (1909) with views of Roosevelt Island and Midtown Manhattan. It makes for a nice detour if you have the time.
Food Spots
1. JACX & CO
JACX & CO is Queens’ answer to the popular food halls of Manhattan and Brooklyn, like Chelsea, Dekalb, and Time Out Markets. Similarly, JACX hosts a bunch of well known, HQ vendors all in one place. We usually start with a Chihuahua Dog from Crif Dogs, which come bacon wrapped, with avocado and sour cream.
Taim makes some of NYC’s best falafel, which you can order green, harissa, or both. We like their bowls equally for the falafel, and the pickled veggies, fried onions, and excellent sticky rice that come with it.
Lotus & Cleaver prepares Cantonese BBQ and serves it in bowls or a la carte. We love the bowls, especially with crispy pork belly over glass noodles. But if you want all available stomach real estate devoted to just BBQ, they also sell Char Siu by the pound.
Beebe’s prepares old school thin crust pizza with contemporary ingredients, like pickled chilis, hot honey, and stracciatella. The Frankie comes with meatballs, ricotta, and our favorite - vodka sauce.
Chef Ivy Stark’s Mexology now holds real estate in two of NYC’s best food halls, Time Out Market and JACX. You can mix and match tacos in their 3 Tacos with Rice & Beans. We love the fried mahi mahi, skirt steak, and al pastor.
In a close race, our kids voted the Crif Dogs to be their favorite food item, narrowly edging out pizza and char siu.
John Brown is our favorite Kansas City style barbecue in NYC. Their recently upgraded space now has a full bar, and lots of outdoor seating perfect for large groups.
Think sweet and spicy BBQ sauce, and a multitude of options you might not find at your typical smokehouse, like excellent pork belly, pastrami, rib tips, and of course burnt ends.
Burnt Ends, aka Kansas City Candy, or Kansas City Crack, are the most popular things on the menu. They sell out often, so if they’re your main concern, don’t wait all day to show up.
Despite all the attention brisket gets at John Brown, our favorite menu items are pork, ribs, rib tips, and pork belly.
They bone out whole chickens to order so quickly you’ll think Jacque Pepin is in the back with a set of butcher’s knives. It’s delicious, but if your kids won’t tolerate spiciness levels beyond detectable, they may pass on the chicken.
Sides like Corn Bread, Mac ‘n Cheese, Chili, and Fries are safe bets with most kids, but BBQ usually works for families no matter what.
Transportation
The NYC Ferry has two terminals along the waterfront, Long Island City Gantry Plaza serviced by the Astoria Route, and Hunter’s Point South serviced by the East River Route. Kids are free and adult tickets can be purchased on the NYC Ferry app for $2.75. Routes and Schedules here. Connections are free and you can find ferry terminals all over the city.
If you prefer the subway, 7, G, E, and M trains stop within walking distance of the LIC waterfront. N, W, E, M, and R trains all stop within a few blocks of John Brown.
Two hour metered parking is available in LIC both near the waterfront and John Brown. Use Gantry Plaza State Park or Hunter’s Point Park South in your Maps and it’ll take you straight there.