Michael Raphael has lived in Glendale, South Ozone Park, and Howard Beach. And if that’s not enough, he runs Middle Village-based Spineworks NYC, a boutique comic books shop that also provides pressing, cleaning, and grading services. Here’s what this Very Queens Man loves about the borough.
Great Eats
I eat everywhere and Queens has everything, so we might have to break this down into subcategories. But to mention only a few, let’s start with Mario’s Meats & Gourmet Deli at 75-53 Metropolitan Ave. in Middle Village. The quality is fantastic and the owners put a lot of thought into the combination of flavors. Plus, they press the sandwiches down so they’re crunchy, spicy, and salty. I like the Spicy Calabrese, but really the whole menu is great.
I also love Brother’s at 158-14 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach. Again it’s the kind of place where you could throw a dart at the menu and be happy with your order. The fresh, homemade ravioli and hot plates are the best, and the Big Asss Subs are unlike anything else. On the top of my list are The Fat Ang, chicken cutlet, bacon bits, avocado, Asian sauce, melted cheddar, and baby spinach, and the PAPD, chicken cutlet, vodka sauce, burrata, honey balsamic glaze, basil, grated parm, and extra virgin olive oil.
Then there’s Bruno’s Ristorante, which is near Brother’s at 158-22 Cross Bay Blvd. It’s Old Skool Italian with high-end baked clams, but I could eat everything on the menu. My wife could, too. The chef came over from Russo’s On The Bay, so you know he’s good.
We also have bakeries – SugarBun and Il Posta – in the area, and great West Indian cuisine. Trinciti Roti Shop (111-03 Lefferts Blvd. in South Ozone Park) has great doubles, baked shark, and aloo pie. For Latin cuisine, I go to Libertad (96-19 Liberty Ave. in Ozone Park), which serves the best mondongo in the world.
Historic Feets
I grew up in South Ozone Park, and everybody in the neighborhood knew about a lady who frequently changed the color of her house on 80th Avenue and Liberty Avenue. She would paint it blue, green, pink, silver, and even multi color. She would even paint the windows. There were all kinds of rumors about the owner, but in reality she was probably a very nice person with eccentric taste.
In Spider-Man comics, mild-mannered Peter Parker (aka the superhero’s alter ego) lived with Aunt May and Uncle Ben at 20 Ingram St. in Forest Hills. I often walk past the house as it has a special place in my heart as a comic book enthusiast and professional.
Wander Streets
I often walk on Park Lane South at the edge of Forest Park. It’s peaceful and beautiful and it brings back memories of riding my bicycle to visit my grandmother in Glendale.
I also do a self-guided Pizza Walking Tour every now and then. It starts at Romeo’s at 103-20 Liberty Ave. Then, it’s on to Ozone at 96-15 Liberty Ave., the other Romeo’s at 134-24 Crossbay Blvd., New Park at 156-71 Cross Bay Blvd., Gino’s at 158-46 Cross Bay Blvd., and DiVino’s at 164-02 Cross Bay Blvd.
Unique Treats
Howard Beach hosts a Halloween Houses Trail every October. People go all out on the decorations, and it almost looks like a horror movie set in some places. Great scenes are all over, but the hotspot is in the vicinity of 159th Street to 165th Street and 99th Avenue to 100th Avenue.
Every year, neighbors vote for the best house. The information is always on social media, and you can get suggested routes and more information.
It’s a big favorite.