Something is cooking in La Placita.
The Corona Plaza Vendor Initiative manages more than a dozen food-and-merchandise posts in a 15,000-square-foot, outdoor market just below the 7 train’s 103rd Street subway station.
It smells delicious, thanks in part to La Michoacana Corp, where Lucia showcases the ancient tradition of tamale making. The Guerrero native’s products amaze with mole, raja con queso, pollo, salsa roja, and salsa verde.
In another spot, Liliana presents a refreshing assortment of aguas frescas and atoles at her Aguas Lili stand. These traditional Mexican beverages range from tangy Tamarindo to fermented Tepache. She also offers elotes, esquites, and chicharron preparado.
Meanwhile over at Pan de Fiesta, Maribel uses her Tlaxcala family’s special recipe to bake bread that commemorates the patron saint San Juan Huactzinco.
Here are some other options.
Chalupas Las Comadres: Joaquina shares the flavors of Puebla with her chalupas, gorditas, and tlacoyos. Her signature chalupas are fried in manteca and topped with slow-cooked pork, cheese, onions, and two kinds of sauces.
Chilaquiles El Chingon: Norma and Gaston serve a diverse array of dishes, including chilaquiles, pambazos, and shrimp tacos.
La Guerrera Mexicana: Aquilina, who is from Guerrero, makes quesadillas and tlacoyos with fresh masa and such fillings as chicharron, chorizo, and steak.
Comida Lola: Dolores specializes in gorditas and tacos placeros. The Morelos native stands out for her vegetarian options, such as huitlacoche and flor de calabaza.
Spearheaded by the Queens Economic Development Corporation and launched last fall, the Corona Plaza Vendor Initiative strives to create a public space that appeals to vendors, pedestrians, residents, and tourists. It’s in operation Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm, although some of the posts are not part of the initiative.
QEDC employees work with various city agencies, elected officials, and community groups to address safety, sanitation, and quality-of-life conditions there. They also provide digital literacy, financial education, and business skills to vendors.
Before the initiative, Corona Plaza was the center of longstanding public safety and quality-of-life concerns stemming from unregulated vending.
Images: Rob MacKay and Tareq Habib