In Jackson Heights, Laura Siciliano Rosen is the go-to guide for all things food. And in this neighborhood, that includes Latin cuisine.
“I was always in the middle of so many different cultures and was able to explore food. I just take the love of food to another level,” said Siciliano Rosen.
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Siciliano Rosen has lived here for 14 years, documenting his culinary adventures through his newsletter called “Eat in Queens,” while giving food tours to people who want to eat cuisines from around the world without ever leaving Jackson Heights.
Laura Siciliano Rosen.
“I’m still working my way through Queens food. It will take me a lifetime but Jackson Heights is really the center of everything,” added Siciliano Rosen.
According to city data, Jackson Heights is home to the largest Hispanic population, with more than 54,000 people living in the area. This is evident when walking through the neighborhood.
“Once you start walking east of 75th Street, 76th Street, the neighborhood changes so drastically that it becomes very South American and Mexican,” explained Siciliano Rosen.
“Mariscos El Submarino” is a Mexican stop on the tour that went viral with its “aguachile” dish – a meal of raw fish and shrimp dipped in chiltepin chiles and prepared in a molcajete. The recipe reminds the owner of his Sinaloa coastal roots.
Alonso Guzmán, from El Submarino Seafood
“Very happy and very grateful that people recognize our work. We are also very proud of our roots and for me, personally, it has always been a dream to always put the name of Mexico on high”, said Alonso Guzmán, owner of Mariscos El Submarino.
Our last stop was “Pecochistas,” a bakery popular with the more than 1,200 Colombians who live in this neighborhood.
Colombian bread.
The bread is baked fresh every day and is never missing stuffed with cheese. The taste of Colombian bread and coffee brings memories of Colombia to customers who enter the place to eat.
“It’s something that moves you, people who become everyday for us but they come to live an experience in this sector,” said Jimena Marín, owner of Pecochitas.
According to Laura, 5% of the profits she earns from guiding tourists are donated to community organizations in favor of undocumented immigrants and restaurants in the area.
Beyond the restaurants.
