Smokehouse 21 - This little piggy had roast beef...

We went to Smokehouse 21 a few weeks back for (big surprise) happy hour.  We had somewhere to be, and just enough time to pop in for a quick bite on the way.  As is usually the case in this city, stopping by somewhere for happy hour was a good idea.  Everything we had was very good, but there were some highlights that stood out above the rest.  Let's get to it.

Atmosphere:

Located on NW 21st between Glisan and Flanders, Smokehouse 21 is in an area I don't usually get to.   And like many neighborhoods in Portland, there are a ton of great places to eat and drink.  Smokehouse 21 fits right in, with its vibe of a homey bbq joint that manages to elevate its fare, making for a unique and interesting experience.  The decor and feel of the dining room is of the no-frills variety, but there are interesting pieces on the walls that really tie the room together.  For sentimental reasons, my favorite is the pictorial of the story of five little piggies, the first of which goes to market, and the last of which goes "wee-wee-wee"all the way home.  I'm sure you know the middle part.

Food:

We ordered a few different items, and I had a dry cider, which they served in a branded coozy to keep it cold while I enjoyed it.  Pretty classy, I'd say.  Among our choices were the deviled egg, the bacon molasses cornbread, the smoked oyster shooter, and the brisket tacos.

Deviled Egg - A very flavorful bite, made all the more-so because it is topped with a nice sized chunk of hot-link.  The mustardy, creamy yoke with the snappy bite of the well cooked sausage went together perfectly.  If you like deviled eggs, it's a can't miss.

Bacon Molasses Cornbread - Tastes as good as it sounds.  Cooked in an individual cupcake wrapper, the top is that awesome well done but not quite burnt muffin top, and the whole thing is drowned in honey.  There are chunks of bacon in the bread itself, and the molasses comes through as a mild sweetness to back up the salty meat.  Another can't miss if you like cornbread.  And bacon.

Smoked Oyster Shooter - I've had my share of regular old oyster shooters, but never one where the oyster is smoked beforehand.  It was a new and interesting twist for me, and if raw oysters and fish gross you out a bit, you might consider this because it's smoked, not straight up fresh and slimy.  

Brisket Tacos - Another excellent plate of food, the corn tortillas together with the pickled onions, oaxacan cheese, and tender as @#%*! brisket is basically my idea of a perfect dish.  You had me at brisket.  One thing I will caution is that the meat is definitely on the very greasy side.  The fact that there is not a huge amount in each taco works in your favor here.  

Service and Cost: 

Both were totally fine.  The restaurant was pretty busy, and I think there was only one waiter, but he was getting the job done.  As far as cost, we stuck to the happy hour stuff, so as usual, we got out of there for a reasonable price.  I would definitely recommend it, especially if you're going to be in NW sometime soon.

3 Mmmms

Smokehouse 21

413 NW 21st Ave Portland, OR 97209

971.373.8990

smokehouse21.com

The People's Pig: Top notch BBQ for the masses

Recently we had the pleasure of trying The People's Pig, a BBQ joint on N. Williams in Portland.  The People's Pig began its life as a food truck, but recently moved into their new brick and mortar digs a few blocks down from the heart of the N. Williams food scene.  Once Fooditka got wind of this development she just had to try it, and I just had to tag along.  I'll keep this review short and to the point.  Here goes:  The People's Pig is really good, and you should go there.  

Fine, I'll elaborate.

Atmosphere:
The restaurant is on N. Williams a few blocks south of Fremont.  It is a simple no frills kind of place, but that does not detract from the experience.  As soon as you walk in, you're greeted with the telltale aroma of delicious BBQ that makes your mouth water.  The space is not very large, big enough to sit and enjoy your food without feeling crammed in.  There are several tables, a few booths, and a counter to sit at, and the menu items and specials are clearly displayed above the cash register.  They have a full bar as well, with a variety of cocktails if you're so inclined.  

Food:
There are a few main menu items to choose from, including pork shoulder, ribs, smoked fried chicken, and BBQ pork.  You can get these items as sandwiches, or as plates with one or two sides.  There are a variety of sides including black eyed peas, collard greens, coleslaw, potato salad, and hot links.  You can also get any of the plates as a salad for the same price.  The large plate with 2 sides goes for about $12, so we each got our own.  However, the portions are very generous and we ended up taking a bunch home and eating it a few days later.  

Pork Shoulder - Fooditka ordered the pork shoulder with potato salad and coleslaw as her sides.  The platter also comes with a good sized hunk of hot, toasty bread and some BBQ sauce for dipping the meat.  It was all delicious, especially the pork; tender in the middle, chewy towards the edges, smoky and beautiful with just the right amount of salty, tangy flavor.  The sides were top notch as well, especially the potato salad.

Smoked Fried Chicken - Smoked chicken; great.  Fried chicken; also great.  Smoked fried chicken; redonkulous.  The texture of the meat was just incredible, with the crispy battered outside giving way to the slight resistance of the smoked chicken skin.  The inside of the meat was moist and delectable, as all of that flavor is locked in there beneath the two outer layers.  For my sides I picked the black eyed peas and the hot links.  I guess that's kind of cheating as I got two delicious meats on my platter instead of one, but good for me.  The sausages were as well executed as the rest of the meats, with a perfect outer texture to complement the tasty inside.  They were a bit spicy, as their name suggests, but not too bad.  The black eyed peas were great as well, and in case I felt I wasn't too stuffed to walk out of there upright, the beautifully toasted hunk of bread cured me of that notion.  

Service and Cost:
It's an order at the counter kind of place, so there isn't traditional waiter or waitress service, but the people working there were super friendly and our food came right out. As I mentioned before, the portions are very substantial; most likely, the two large plates with two sides each would have been enough for 4 people to share comfortably.  Even still, we probably got out of there for about $15 per person including a beer and the tip, and we had plenty of leftovers for dinner later in the week.  

3 Mmmms

The People's Pig - 3217 N. Williams Ave Portland, OR 97227
503.347.2357
facebook.com/PeoplesPig

Podnah's Pit: A Toast to the Host who can Boast the Most Roast...

So by now you know I write about different happy hour deals in our new home of Portlandia.  Well this week, Fooditka and I went to Podnah's Pit on N.E. Killingsworth for some BBQ. "But Dan," you all say simultaneously, "Podnah's Pit doesn't have happy hour." And you'd all be correct, except on Friday when we went, we were there for about 60 minutes and had a most enjoyable experience indeed.  So HA! Semantics win again. 

Atmosphere:
Podnah's is located on Killingsworth Street near 15th, so the neighborhood isn't quite as lively and inviting as some other spots around town like Alberta or Mississippi.  There are definitely a lot of quality places to go nearby, but everything is a little more spread out. The restaurant itself is nice and cozy with a rustic quality that is pretty prevalent around here.  A lot of wood and a no frills kind of feel with friendly people and a lot of regular customers.

The decor is what you might expect from a sit-down Texas style BBQ joint.  Comfortable lighting and music fill up the spaces between all of the people.  We went on Friday night so naturally it was pretty busy.  We put our name on the list, but then two spots opened up at the bar so we decided to sit there.  

Food:
While there is technically no happy hour specials, the portions are big enough to split between two people so you can still be economical about it.  Fooditka and Yours Truly split a cup of the Texas Red Chili and The Pit Boss, which is a platter of assorted BBQ meats and a hot link.  The Pit Boss comes with 2 sides and some cornbread.

Texas Red Chili - Dubbed an "all meat chili" on the menu, it is as advertised.  Nice big chunks of brisket that almost fall apart in the smoky and spicy sauce, it was a great way to start off.  The chili is served with a wedge of cornbread, which is always a nice complement.  

The Pit Boss - A nice sized plate of food, The Pit Boss comes with 1/4 pound of brisket, 1/4 pound of pulled pork, 2 pork ribs, a sausage link, 2 sides and some cornbread.  It's a great sampling of some classic BBQ options.  The brisket was tasty for sure, but a little on the fatty side.  The pulled pork was very solid, and the ribs were good as well; tender and falling apart, tangy and and delicious. I thought the sausage link was fantastic, I'd say it was my favorite part of the meal.  Pretty spicy and on the well done side, my only problem with it was that there was only one.  Oh well, I'll just have to go back one day and get another.

Yet another highlight was the variety of sauces that accompany the meat.  There is some tangy vinegar for the pulled pork, their house BBQ sauce for the brisket and the ribs, a great hot mustard for the already hot sausage, and some honey for the cornbread.  The sides were also good, we went with the collards and the BBQ beans.

Quick, Quick, Slow, Slow - On to the adult beverage portion of the show, I ordered this guy which is just a fancy name for a shot of Buffalo Trace and a 12 oz Shiner Bock to chase it with.  Like I said, it's a no frills kind of place.  They do have a full bar, and an interesting array of cocktails on the menu to choose from.

Service and Cost:
I'd have to say the service was great; perhaps it was aided by the fact that we were at the bar, so anything we needed we got right away.  But beyond that, the people were friendly and efficient and happy to answer all of our questions.  And despite the no happy hour deal, with food, drinks, and tip we got out of there for less than $25.00 per person; not too bad for dinner on a Friday night.

3 Mmmms

Podnah's Pit Barbecue - 1625 N.E. Killingsworth Street Portland, OR 97211
503.281.3700
podnahspit.com  

Dan's Bodacious Bacon Bourekos

I wanted to share a recent Dan creation he whipped up the other week that was a huge crowd pleaser with our friends.  He nicknamed it his Bacon Bourekos, which are essentially oblong meatballs wrapped in bacon and then grilled on a BBQ.  They're pretty simple to make and make for a nice party appetizer.

Dan's Bacon Bourekos

Ingredients (serves 4)
1 lb of lean ground beef
1 small red onion, chopped
Worcestershire sauce
Thinly sliced bacon
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil

Directions:
Combine beef with all the other ingredients except for the olive oil.  For the seasoning, you can just eyeball it, and Dan used about 1 tbs of Worcestershire sauce.  Blend well until fully incorporated and then form into 1/2 inch wide and 3 inch long oblong spheres.  Wrap in bacon and then put on a small wooden skewer that has been moistened with water.

Put on a hot gas grill that's been oiled and cook for about 15 minutes or until the bacon is golden brown and the beef is cooked through.

Serve with grilled pita bread and or grilled halloumi cheese.

Oklahoma Joe's BBQ Stuns our Tastebuds

While on our cross country journey to Portland, we stopped off in Kansas City between Chicago and Denver.  Although we didn't spend much time there, the short while we did have was memorable and delicious - especially because we stopped off to have the legendary Oklahoma Joe's BBQ.

Atmosphere:
Located just outside of Downtown Kansas City in the Roeland Park neighborhood, Oklahoma Joe's is a big destination for locals and visitors.  Authentically located in a Shamrock gas station, those of you who've been to Texas know this is a good sign.  The interesting part is that the gas station is fully functioning, which further adds to the restaurant's authenticity.

Having said that, the back part of the gas station (usually where the food mart would be) has been converted into a BBQ haven and I kid you not when I say there's always a line out the door.  While the line is long, it progresses quickly and is a fun experience, as it adds to the suspense and promise of delicious ribs at the end.  Needless to say, the wait is totally worth it, and then some.

Food:
While on line, we had plenty of time to decide what we wanted to order.  Ribs were a given, as that's what they're famous for, but I also wanted a few other things such as pulled pork and other fixins.  Dan and I ended up sharing mostly everything, except the ribs.

BBQ Ribs - After one bite of these ribs, it's easy to understand why Oklahoma Joe's deserves the myriad of awards that hang on their walls.  The ribs are rubbed with their signature BBQ sauce and while they're on the wetter side, the meat pulls apart perfectly, revealing an impressive smoke ring in the middle.  Each bite exemplified a beautiful marriage of smoke, flavor and expert seasoning.  I think both purists and novices would approve.

Pulled Pork - Just like the ribs, the pulled pork was also stupendous.  Rich, juicy and flavorful, I enjoyed eating it with the buttered Texas toast as an open faced sandwich.  Again, you don't need much else with it, as the flavors really stand out, but I put on some extra BBQ sauce for good measure.

The Sides - Impressed with the classic side dishes offered, we shared an order of the baked BBQ beans, the spicy slaw, as well as their seasonal pork chili.  They were all tasty of course, but the baked beans were my favorite, as they were a little sweet and smoky with a hint of spice.  They were best enjoyed with the ribs.

Service and Cost:
Once we got to the front of the line, we were helped in a quick and efficient manner.  Everyone here is a total pro and we received our food in a mere 2 minutes after ordering.  Everything was delicious, fresh and piping hot.

Prices are fair and in my opinion inexpensive for the superior BBQ quality you're getting.  Two rib dinners, a side of chili, fries and two drinks set us back about $37 with tax and tip.

3 Finger-lickin-good Mmmms

Oklahoma Joe's BBQ - 3002 West 47th Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas, 66103
913.722.3366

oklahomajoesbbq.com

A Healthy Side with your BBQ - Quinoa Caprese Salad

With a lovely weekend such as the one we just had, it was fun to spend it outside, surrounded by great friends and delicious food.  Dan and I were invited to an all-day BBQ celebration, hosted by our friends Greg and Rikki who live on Long Island.  Of course we didn't want to come empty handed, so I whipped up this easy Caprese quinoa salad, while Dan brought with him the ingredients for his famous fried Oreos.

As far as the quinoa goes, I'm happy to say it was a big hit with the adults and kids too.  Consisting of just a few fresh ingredients I had on hand, I made a Caprese version of an otherwise plain quinoa salad.  Here are the simple instructions:

Quinoa Caprese Salad (serves 8-10)

Ingredients:
2 packets (or 2 cups) of white or black quinoa
1 quart of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 handfuls of fresh basil, cut into rustic pieces
1/2 fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed into chunks
Olive oil & truffle oil (the latter is optional)
Balsamic vinegar
Black pepper

Directions:
Cook the quinoa according to the directions on the box.  Let cool for about 10 minutes and then combine with the rest of the ingredients.  Fluff with a fork and then dress with more oil or vinegar if needed.  Season to taste as needed.

Enjoy with your favorite protein or just on its own.

Slick's Big Time BBQ - Drive Thru BBQ Magic

During our stay in Portland, we ventured out of the city limits into the Willamette Valley, where the hills are rolling and the wines were flowing.  Not surprisingly, there was tons of great food to be found - some of it in the most unusual places such as the BBQ joint I'm about to describe.

While on our way to Champoeg State Park, Dan and I spotted a BBQ truck that advertised a drive thru restaurant.  A novel concept for us, we were intrigued but had no real intentions to try it, until a few hours later when we got hungry.  Turning out to be one of our foodie stand-outs of the trip, we didn't regret our decision.

Atmosphere:
Located in Newberg, Oregon, just a short drive from several spectacular wineries and beautiful outdoor destinations, Slick's is a perfect pit stop for satisfying your hunger while on the road.  You can drive thru obviously, which is part of its charm, however we decided to dine in their small outdoor picnic table area.

While simple, Slick's concept works well to deliver a unique culinary experience and great customer service.  Not long after ordering at their pick-up window, we were ushered back with the sound of a cow bell, which was both amusing and awesome.  While the picnic area wasn't crowded, we noticed a few people driving by and leaving with their BBQ.

Food:
Even though everything on the menu sounded tempting, we went for a simple low & slow brisket platter with a side of pulled pork baked beans and cornbread.  A total home run, the meat was super flavorful, boasting a beautiful smoke ring around the edges.  While the middle was a tad dry for my taste, the corners were absolutely perfect, with crunchy, well done skin.

The sides were also spectacular, and I couldn't stop devouring the moist cornbread, which almost tasted like corn bread pudding.  We chatted with Dan, Slick's owner who revealed the cornbread is a secret recipe of his wife's who also makes it into a decadent strawberry shortcake dessert.

Service and Cost:
Although this is a no frills type of place, the service was warm and friendly and we enjoyed speaking with Dan who made sure we had a great experience.  Overall, Slick's infuses an old town feel into this well trafficked region, especially during prime wine tasting season (aka now).

Costs are inexpensive and the above platter set us back just $10, which is a great value for such a delicious feast.  Do try it if you happen to be in the area at some point!

Slick's Big Time BBQ - 28300 Wilsonville Rd, Newberg OR 97132
503.327.8200
slicksbigtimebbq.com

The Strand – Still Smoky and Delightful

A few weeks back, Dan and I attended a fun shin-dig at The Strand in honor of their big one year anniversary.  It’s hard to believe this place has only been open for a year, as it seems to already be such a staple in the community.  Its popularity doesn’t come without a price, as The Strand is known to be controversial in the nabe for its “merrymaking,” shall was say.  All’s well that ends well, I think, as The Strand seems to enjoy a loyal following, serving some yummy eats at their party.  Here were some of our foodie faves:    

Pulled Pork – Saucy and delicious, the pulled pork totally delivered with some chunks of nicely marbled meat.  I loved how juicy it was, and you didn’t even need a side or a piece of bread with it.  Since I haven’t been here in quite a while, it was nice to observe the improvements they’ve made with their sauces.

Brisket – Dan and I enjoyed this generously marbled meat, which had a lovely char on the outside, but was also very moist on the inside.  The meat fell apart easily and just like the pork, didn’t need much sauce as an accompaniment – we had the smoky baked beans for that.

Baked Beans – Really a meal on its own, the baked beans came in a bowl of hearty goodness.  Marbled with a few chunky pieces of beef, this tasty concoction reminded me a lot of a wintery stew.  On a rainy, cold night such as the one we experienced, it was the perfect thing.

Chicharron (aka fried pork belly) – Saving the best for last, Dan and I marveled at the genius of these little porky bites.  The texture was impeccable, as it was a little crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside.  The flavor combined everything delectable including sweet, salty, smoky, and a little spicy too.  Umami was definitely reached here – oh, most definitely.

Service:
Since this was one big party, everyone was cheerful and hospitable, and we enjoyed good service at the counter as well as when seated.  Even though it was super crowded, we scored good seats, as everyone was happy to share a common space, and rejoice together for this festive occasion.

Happy Birthday Strand – here’s to many more!

The Strand Smokehouse - 25-27 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.440.3231
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.thestrandsmokehouse.com

Enticing Lunch Special at Butcher Bar

While on my 30th Avenue stroll the other day, I noticed a few lunch specials, including this one at Butcher Bar that caught my eye.  I haven't been here in quite a bit, and admit that I miss the delicious BBQ'd meat - so much so that I may just pop in during a day that I'm working from home.  Here it is...feast your eyes:

Butcher Bar Weekly Lunch Special - Monday - Friday, 11:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Choose from:
Pulled pork sandwich OR pulled chicken sandwich
1 side
1 drink
$11.95/person

As you can see, the portions are generous, so feel free to save some for leftovers and take it with you.

Butcher Bar - 37-08 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.606.8140
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.butcherbar.com 

Sunday Night Deal at Rest-Au-Rant

Dan and I popped in to Rest-au-Rant tonight for some quiet time, a little vino and nice conversation.  It was incredibly relaxing and the music was awesome, that we hung around for a while, just getting lost in our thoughts, and chatting away.

Even though we just went in for drinks, the friendly bartender told us about a fabulous little special that we'll certainly be back for, especially when I'm back to eating gluten.  Here it is for you ladies and gents who want to enjoy Astoria's best kept secret:

- Draft and BBQ entree for $10.  Tonight's featured item was their burger.
- 2 tapas and a bottle of wine for $40
- 4 tapas and a bottle of wine for $55

Their wine and cocktail menu  is also wonderful, and not overpriced.  Take a look right here.

Rest-Au-Rant - 30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.729.9009
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
www.rarbarlic.com 

An Astorian Thanksgiving - It's Coming!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so I thought I'd start to think about it early this year, seeing as I completely glossed over Halloween.  It's nice to see a lot of businesses in the nabe are planning early, and all the themed menus and fun offers are getting me excited.  Here's a few to get you started.

Koliba - Even though it's probably not the first place you think of for a Thanksgiving meal, I expect that it'd be delicious.  Their Thanksgiving menu includes traditional things such as turkey with all the fixins, but they also have Slovak/Czech style dishes on the menu.  You'll find this dinner to be a prix-fixe, ranging from $15.75 - $24.75.  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0430

Cavo - I like visiting Cavo on special occasions, since it feels kind of celebratory and a little fancy, too.  Taking a peek at their Thanksgiving menu, I spied yummy things such as roasted butternut squash soup, oven roasted free range turkey, brussels sprouts, chestnut cranberry stuffing and more.  42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.1001

Astor Bake Shop - Everyone knows that ABS is totally worth its salt when it comes to dessert.  They've been baking up a storm with seasonal treats and are taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving seasonal pies.  This rustic apple beauty certainly caught my eye.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

Vesta - These guys always do a great job of hooking you up for Thanksgiving, whether you choose to dine in or take out.  I found the take out option pretty cool, as they feature an entire Thanksgiving feast to-go (including their signature, Baby Jesus Cake) for 8-10 people.  Find out what Thanksgiving Foods are included here.  21-20 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550 

John Brown Smokehouse - Further on the topic of a take-home Thanksgiving feast, how about something with a smoky, bbq twist? JBS has a few tasty options for you, including a whole pecan smoked turkey with sides and a special order of pecan or pumpkin pies.  Prices vary based on how many mouths you want to feed.  Email them directly to find out more and to place your order.  10-43 44th Drive, LIC.  347.617.1120

4 Random Creative Croissants

Just because I've been spotting some randomly cool food things around Astoria, I thought I'd round them up here for a little quickie inspiration.  A mixture of food deals, special menu items, contests and more, I hope you enjoy these creative croissants.

So fun! SingleCut Beersmiths is running a caption contest on their site.  You'll notice their mascot, Rulpsen popping up on their homepage, so why not give him something to say?  Submit your caption directly on their site or through Facebook or Twitter and you can win a 64 oz growlrrr filled with your favorite brew.

Have you checked (or downloaded) the awesome Scoutmob app? I've gotten tons of great deals out of it in Astoria, including a discount at Crave Astoria, Winegasm, the Mad Donkey, and now the latest discounts for Saffron Indian Cuisine, Ovelia, Latin Cabana, Astoria Bier & Cheese and more.  Remember that these are 100% free coupons that don't require a pre-payment.  Bottom line - they're awesome!

Did you know that 5 Napkin Burger is featuring a special Oktoberfest inspired burger? I've never had a German-style burger, but this one sounds pretty unique, as it's packed with lots of hearty ingredients such as ground beef infused with Knockwurst spices, munster cheese, smoky bacon, mustard, onions all enveloped in a pretzel roll. Sounds pretty awesome, especially when paired with a fall pumpkin ale.  35-01 36th Street, Astoria.  718.433.2727

Oh and how can I forget that my fellow foodie comrade, Tyson Ho, the hogmaster behind Arrogant Swine is in a great Arby's commercial.  See him giving expertise about the almighty pig, specifically Carolina style BBQ.

More than just Meat at Queens Comfort

Tonight was special, as I went out to support and celebrate the accomplishments of one of my favorite food blogger comrades, Bradley Hawks. For those of you not familiar with Bradley’s work in the food world, it’s quite remarkable how he has his fingers in so many honey pots, and I always marvel at how much he juggles. Not only does Bradley write and edit BORO Magazine, he’s also a contributor to the Village Voice, writes his own blog, guest posts on We Heart Astoria, and takes beautiful photographs for many local restaurants in Astoria and LIC.

Probably known most famously for the latter, Bradley’s photos always entice, tease and make the mouth water. In fact, tonight’s celebration was all about his photography, as Queens Comfort proudly showcased some of Bradley’s best works.

Aside from marveling at the beautiful shots of sushi, burgers, pizza, sandwiches and the many other wonderful foods that serve as muses for Bradley’s photography, Meg and I also enjoyed some quintessential Queens Comfort eats. After a long day, we were both loving all their little indulgences and concurred that the quality of everything we had was great.

BBQ Tofu Sandwich – Seeing an enticing picture of this sandwich from none other than Bradley, I was excited to see it on the menu and went for it. It didn’t disappoint, and in fact far surpassed expectations, as it was a beautifully composed dish with fried tofu, crispy slaw, a tangy Siu Hauu sauce, enveloped in a buttery brioche bun. The tofu was really crunchy on the outside, decked in a golden fried crust, and it was tender and substantial on the inside. I love how that sauce permeated into the little nooks inside the tofu that gave it a very delicious Asian flavor.

Donuts – The first thing we smelled when we came in were the donuts, and they looked divine to boot! We loved watching them be prepared - first the glaze was added and then they were topped with a little fried donut hole.

There were two varieties we tried including the Oreo and the PBJ. I preferred the latter, as it was glazed first with some creamy peanut butter and then topped with a light strawberry jelly. The inside was cakey and wonderfully soft, while the outside was a little crunchy. Although it was tempting to finish completely, I had to hold myself back so I can try its Oreo companion. Even though I liked it a lot, I thought that the Oreo cookies could’ve been more prominent in the donut, and there wasn’t much going on in terms of the creamy white filling. I felt this donut wanted to achieve that nostalgic Oreo-ness but only got there halfway.

Service and Cost:
Despite it being a busy night at Queens Comfort, the service was pretty quick. Even though it would’ve been nice to refresh our waters and get us some more napkins, the actual food came out in good time, and we didn’t have to wait long for the check either. Overall, the staff is friendly and pretty laid back. I felt that we could’ve hung out for a while even after we finished eating.

Costs are affordable, but know that it’s still a cash only establishment. I paid a total of $16 with tax and tip for my sandwich.

3 Comfortable Mmmms

Queens Comfort - 40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103

646.597.8687

N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com