Queens to Kalustyanâs: The Indian Grocery Odyssey & Chic Goat Eats
Born in Elmhurst Queens, navigating the wilds of Jackson Heights' South Asian bazaar and its samosa hunting grounds in the â70s, our heroine survived Pure Vegetarian Survivors Club until college pushed her to Manhattanâs Kalustyan's â the OG Indian grocery monopoly where she loyally shopped above Gramercy Park. From decades of fasting sans meat to crashing â90s model hotspots like Mr. Chow and learning exotic snail dishes at Semma, every meal screams 'expensive nostalgia.' Pro tip: hit Kabawaâs goat dishes 8 Extra Place East Village style or get your kale salad flex on at Indochineâs glamorous people-watching HQ on Lafayette Street. Bon appĂ©tit or get over it!
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From Queensâ samosa streets to Manhattanâs grazing bars, turns out vegetarianism threw shade on snail cuisineâwho knew Indian food was a snail-rough terrain? Meanwhile, goat is the real MVP at Kabawa; fashion models and tough palates rejoice.
I followed an Indian grocery pilgrimage from Queens to Kalustyan's, only to find that the real adventure was arguing between pure veg and rich lobster moilee later on. Culinary wishbones can't catch a break.
Who needs a world tour when NYCâs East Village serves South Indian snails and Caribbean goat like exotic pets? Next trend diet: get weird or go home.
Source: Eater | Published: 11/4/2025 | Author: Padma Lakshmi
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