By SETH GRUDBERG
Posted: 1:06 am
August 16, 2008
OLYMPIC times call for Olympic measures. And while the athletes in Beijing are busy reppin' their countries, my wife and I decided to go global ourselves. Armed with $15 each, we rode the 7 train to Jackson Heights to see how far our appetite (and cash) would take us. For our international culinary games, we began our meander on 74th Street, where we could feast on treats from India, Mexico and El Salvador. Is a fab feast possible for that amount of cash? We'll find out. Game on!
DELHI PALACE
Our first stop: The minuscule 8-by-10-foot space that comprises the "to-go" counter at Delhi Palace (37-33 74th St., Jackson Heights; 718-507-0666). The refrigerated glass case holds plenty of Indian confections, but the real stars of this room are the trays by the window, filled with fried pea and potato pyramids. We decided to pace ourselves and split one samosa ($1), which came with a mild green coriander sauce and a sweet maroon chutney-flavored sauce. Both were cool complements to the lightly spicy curry that's mixed into the filling and then fried fresh all day. We were off to a strong start.
Total cost so far: $1
KABAB KING DINER
Down the street and around the corner, we stopped in for the appetizer portion of our evening at Kabab King Diner (73-01 37th Road, Jackson Heights; 718-457-5857). Chicken, lamb, goat and even some freshly cooked quail in a display case diverted our eyes from the fluorescent lights and plastic cutlery.
We ordered up a batch of naan ($1), a beef kebab and a chicken kebab ($1.50 each). After we found seats in the crowded restaurant, the waiter brought over a pitcher of water. A few minutes later, we found out why - the chilies in the kebabs give new meaning to the word "intense." My wife declared the naan to be unlike anything she'd ever had; the bottom was nicely browned and resembled a crepe. I think I've found a permanent replacement for my morning muffin.
Total cost so far: $5
EL PASO
After all the spicy goodness of Kabab King, we headed under the tracks of the 7 train and walked "South of the Border" 10 minutes to El Paso (64-06 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside; 718-943-7818). What this place lacked in décor, it made up for in its authentic Mexican fare.
