Astoria has quickly become a culinary center in New York City. Most people don’t get out to Queens unless they live there, though the restaurants and bars have begun drawing people out there a bit more. Near most of the stops of the N and W trains are a bunch of new restaurants that have sprung up over the past few years. One of my personal favorite places to eat in this neighborhood is called The Strand.
The Strand is a smokehouse that sells a handful of different typical barbecue-style meats by the pound and a large assortment of southern-style comfort foods. The way you order your food is similar to a cafeteria. You grab a tray and order your meats, then slide it down and order your sides, and so on. This is some of the best food I’ve had in the city. They also have a large selection of whiskeys and house-made moonshines (which are absolutely delicious, especially in their “moontails”!)
They also host a lot of weekly activities like trivia and live performances. Whether you’re going for the food, the drinks, or the entertainment, the Strand is an excellent choice!
