World Cup Fever Burns In Queens: 7 Places To Watch The Games And Eat So Well
What better place to take in the World Cup (beginning June 12) than that most international of New York City boroughs, Queens. During the final matches die-hard fans are known to ride up down Roosevelt Avenue as the 7 train rumbles overhead waving the flags of their respective countries. From Argentina to Italy and Croatia to South Korea our list of international spots has all your eating, drinking and soccer watching needs covered.
Argentina: Boca Juniors
Named for Club Atlético Boca Juniors this Argentine steakhouse is a carnivore's dream with platter-sized entrañas — skirt steaks slathered with chimichurri — and a mixed grill laden with short ribs, sweetbreads and sausage. Settle into the blue and gold dining room and root for Lionel Messi and the rest of the team, as you watch the game on one of four big screens while sipping an ice cold Cereveza Quilmes. Boca Juniors, 81-08 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373, 718-429-2077
Croatia: United Miners S.C. Rudar
With a name that sounds more like a labor union than a soccer club, this basement spot is one of the more unique spots to catch the Croatian matches. About that name, the club's founders hail from Lubin, an Istrian town where mining was a way of life. Dig deep into a menu of such specialties as Istrian pršut, the Croatian cousin of Italian prosciutto, and a pasta called njoki sa zvacetom istarski (homemade gnocchi with veal sauce). United Miners S.C. Rudar, 34-01 45th St, Long Island City, NY 11101, 718-786-5833
Mexico: Tortilleria Nixtamal
Rooting for Mexico in the matchup with Brazil on June 17? Head to Tortilleria Nixtamal in Corona, where you can watch Javier Chicharito Hernandez and his fellow El Tri members take on the Brazilian squad on their home turf while enjoying some of the finest Mexican food in New York City. Nixtamal is the only tortilleria in town that makes masa from actual corn instead of corn flour. That means tortillas packed with corn flavor. Bring your own squad and feast on a pound or two of carnitas — pork cooked in lard — or barbacoa, lamb steamed in maguey leaves. Wash it all down with plenty of Cerveza La Victoria. Tortilleria Nixtamal, 104-05 47th Ave, Corona, NY 11368, 718-699-2434
Italy: Cucino a Modo Mio
Along with Brazil, Squadra Azzurra is the only team to have won the World Cup twice in a row. Cheer on the Italians at Cucino a Modo Mio whose owners have just added an outdoor beer piazza serving 15 kinds of pizza as well as that Italian festival classic, sausage and pepper heroes. If you get bored by the game you can always go watch a more localized international matchup: Italian and Dominicans playing boccie at the nearby Spaghetti Park. Even if Italy doesn't win be sure to treat yourself to frosty confection from the Lemon Ice King of Corona. Cucino a Modo Mio, 51-01 108th St, Corona, NY 11368, 718-271-4300
South Korea: Hahm Ji Bach
Watch the Taeguk Warriors take to the field while feasting like a warrior on Korean barbecue at the newest location of Hahm Ji Bach. With an impressive array of banchan that goes well beyond kimchi to include gyeran jjim (steamed egg custard) and marinated blue crabs, and such table grilled classics as samgyeopsal (thick-cut pork belly) and galbi as well as other less common items as hyomit gui (grilled beef tongue). it's well worth the LIRR fare to the Murray Hill Station (a short ride from Penn). Best of all, they're giving away three beers per table during all World Cup games. Now how do you say GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL in Korean, again? Hahm Ji Bach, 40-11 149th Pl., Flushing, NY 11355, 718-460-9289
Chile: San Antonio Bakery
If you're looking to cheer on La Roja as they take on Spain on June 18, then head over to San Antonio Bakery. The bakery may not serve beer, but there are plenty of treats to be had like the chacarero — a grilled steak sandwich topped with tomatoes, green beans and chilies — and the completo, a hot dog festooned with tomatoes, avocados, mayonnaise and sauerkraut. For dessert there are plenty of cakes and cookies, including the double-decker alafajore affectionately known as the Chilenito. San Antonio Bakery, 36-20 Astoria Blvd., Astoria NY 11103 718-777-8733
Ecuador: Warren St. (Little Quito)
They don't serve beer and seating is limited to little stools, but there's no more festive place in Queens to watch La Tricolor play than the block of Warren Street off Roosevelt Avenue. It's a Little Quito lined with Ecuadorean food trucks, each equipped with a television. There's nothing quite liked digging into a hearty plate of hornado Ecuatoriano (roast pig) with a side of mote (gigantic kernels of hominy corn) as the 7 train rumbles overhead. Little Quito, Warren Street and Roosevelt Ave. near the Junction Blvd. 7 train stop
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