Best food in Jackson Heights

Arepa Lady
There's a reason why the Arepa Lady is one of the city's most vaunted street vendors: Her thick, queso-laden, perfectly salted white cornmeal arepa ($3) is simply that good. You may have to make it a late-night snack: She works the griddle Fridays and Saturdays only, and never before 10pm. Northwest corner of Roosevelt Ave and 79th St (no phone)

Bombay Chat and Samyeling
Sometimes the best food is served in the least likely places. Up the stairs from a computer shop, you'll find two gems: The Bombay Chat counter serves amply portioned Indian street fare, like fresh and crunchy bhel puri ($6), a spicy puffed rice snack rich with chickpeas; one counter over, Samyeling sates Tibetan cravings. We ordered momo ($6), the region's signature dumpling—at Samyeling, they're supple dough crescents packed with juicy minced chicken. 73-19 37th Rd between 73rd and 74th Sts, second floor (no phone)

Cannelle Patisserie
Don't let the bleak strip-mall locale of this sweets sanctuary fool you. Locals flock to this bright bakery, stocked with surprisingly elegant sweets such as fragrant pistachio macarons ($1) and rotating varieties of airy quiches ($3.50), like spinach, leek and red pepper. 75-59 31st Ave at 77th St, in Waldbaum's mall (718-565-6200, cannellepatisserie.com)

Despaa Brand Foods
On Saturdays (9am--4pm), this tiny shrine to Spanish foodstuffs turns into an all-day party, with free tastings of piquillo-pepper-stuffed olives, house-made chorizo and free-flowing wine. At any other time, it's still worth the trip, for the premium imports, including Cabrales cheese, Andalusian vinegar and artisanal nougat. 86-17 Northern Blvd between 86th and 87th Sts (718-779-4971, despanabrandfoods.com). Additional location: 408 Broome St between Cleveland Pl and Lafayette St (212-219-5050)

El Chivito d'Oro
The boisterous, colorful atmosphere at this Uruguayan grill elevates this carnivorous haven over the city's many others. That, and the expertly prepared veal, short ribs, skirt steak, blood sausage (even the spinach empanada if you need some greens), all forcing us to ask, Peter who? 84-02 37th Ave at 84th St (718-424-0600)

Espresso 77
Moms and laptop lovers alike gravitate to this sunny, modern coffeeshop for fresh-baked pumpkin scones and strong, velvety lattes made with premium roasted Gimme! Coffee beans from Ithaca, New York. Like the joe, everything here is local: ice cream from Astoria's 5 Boroughs, pastries from Jackson Heights' Ambrosia Bakery and art on the walls by neighborhood artists. 35-57 77th St between 35th and 37th Aves (718-424-1077, espresso77.com)

Pan y Mas
Make your way through this storefront hawking Avon products and jewelry, and find an oasis in the retail desert: a bakery that churns out Colombian-style tamales (wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks). Tender hunks of beef tossed with potatoes, carrots and peas come in a corn-dough cocoon—it's like a stew you can eat on the go. 83-14 37th Ave between 83rd and 84th Sts (no phone)

Patel Brothers
Wander the aisles of this Indian mega grocery store, and you may just need a cab to haul home bulk-size bags of saffron, sacks of basmati rice, frozen samosas, cardamom-pistachio ice cream and about a dozen other kitchen-stockers you didn't realize you had to have. 37-27 74th St between Roosevelt and 37th Aves (718-898-3445, patelbrothersusa.com)

Pio Pio
You won't find a better bird than the Peruvian rotisserie-style chicken ($10) served at this brick-walled minichain. Plump, juicy flesh encased in crackling skin—paired with a mess of fried green plantains ($3)—continues to draw locals and day-trippers alike. 84-21 Northern Blvd between 84th and 85th Sts (718-426-1010, piopionyc.com).

Taqueria Coatzingo
Fresh, meaty tacos—think al pastor, slow-roasted goat and tongue—give Coatzingo an edge over the other tempting holes-in-the-wall under the 7 train track. Though the meat varieties excel, the veg version ($2)—packed with pinto beans, rice, queso blanco and creamy guacamole—is plenty satisfying. 76-05 Roosevelt Ave between 76th and 77th Sts (718-424-1977)