I still remember when it was the hot place to go in Queens. Look at this article from just five years ago, it shows a much bigger operation that what exists today:
https://ny.eater.com/2019/8/15/20803637/jackson-diner-restaurant-review-indian-jackson-heights-nyc
I was just in Jackson Heights, and it's wedged into this tiny storefront now, about as small as storefronts get. The menu seemed pretty modest and tired too.
What happened? Did it change hands? Was there some kind of scandal? Lose their lease? I thought this place would be a standard forever. It's kind of like visiting Katz's and finding it's turned into a pop-up.
by GravitationalOno
2 Comments
Yeah, they appear to have taken on a smaller space. There are worse fates; many places just close.
Rents have gotten high, especially in that part of Jackson Heights right off of the subway stop. For modest Indian restaurants, this might be too much.
I think the bigger factor is probably the competition that has risen in the area and the city at large. Five years ago, you had the classic Indian places and Adda. Now you have over a dozen choices that compete for and attract more “foodie” attention. Even in Jackson Heights, there’s a proliferation of new options, like Angel.
A final issue might be pricing. If the lunch buffet was $12 in 2019, subsequent price changes have likely pushed the prices north of what area workers (many, for example, in taxicabs) can comfortably afford.
Not sure what happened but their food is still good!
Big loss on not having their buffets though. I do miss that