People ask me, “Why would you live in Queens and not the city (Manhattan)?” I always say, “Culture, culture, culture!” Okay, it’s more like, “Food, food, food!” I enjoy having easy access to a wide variety of international cuisines and flavors. You can have whatever your stomach heart desires in Queens! Tuclingo Deli is a great example of why I love Queens so much.
Delicious Mexican Deli! Vamos a Tuclingo Deli!
Tulcingo is a mini-chain of Mexican delis and stores in the Corona area of Queens. If you need a source for Mexican ingredients, Tuclingo is the place to go. (The Tulcingo I am writing about in this post is on Junction Blvd.) Enter and you will find wonderful Mexican delights from baked goods, tortillas, cakes, herbs, cheeses (queso!), meats, vegetables, chiles to beverages and snacks. Speaking of beverages & snacks, I’m going to show you the two main reasons why I love going to Tuclingo:
1) Agua de Jamaica. At the Tulcingo on Junction Blvd., you will find two cold drink dispensers behind the cash register containing two types of agua frescas – jamaica and tamarindo. I was mesmerized by the beautiful color of the agua de jamaica and completely ignored the muddy brown tamarindo. (Sorry, I’m a sucker for ruby red colored things!) Let’s tell the truth, this picture does not do justice to the beauty of this refreshing drink. You have to stop by Tulcingo and experience this drink in person. Sí, va!
For a mere $2 you can enjoy this:
Agua de jamaica. A ruby red drink that's slightly sweet, tart, & a wee bit tangy.
You know how some drinks leave that film of sugar in your mouth and makes you more thirsty than you were before you drank anything? This is not one of those sorry drinks. If you’re in the neighborhood, go and treat yourself to this drink that has a nice taste of sweet, tart and a just wee bit of tang to make you sigh with satisfaction when you’re done drinking it. (Or glupping it down delicately sipping it in my case.) Something as simple as “water of hibiscus” will make you smile. Promise!
2) Chicharron. Of course I saved the best for last! Wait, wait. Yes, I know you can get fried pork rinds in a bag from just about any corner store. And yes, you can get chicharron from most Latin grocery stores. BUT! This is not just any chicharron that you find in a Mexican deli/store. I could have sworn that the heavens parted and angels were singing when I saw this:
Ah, my precious! Mona Lisa it isn't but glorious pork it is!
Ok, stop and don’t be squeamish. I want you to get past the fact that yes, it is fried pork skin. Just let go of whatever preconceived notions you have about eating “normal looking animal parts”. (FYI: Meat does not – DOES NOT! – come in plastic wrapped Styrofoam trays in nature, ok?) Take a whiff of the fried pork chop smell coming from the chicharron and embrace the golden, airy, rich, tasty waves of lardy goodness in the display. Once you taste it, you too will be thanking whoever was clever (or bored) enough to fry up pork skin.
What does a chicharron taste like? When you bite into a chicharron, the first thing that hits your mouth is the crisp and crumbly texture. The overall piece of chicharron is crispy – almost hard but not in a bad way- but then towards the center, it gets crumbly. Then your tongue meets the rich, meaty flavor of the pork skin and gets coated with a light kiss of lard. One way to describe it would be “nature’s pork flavored potato chip – but hold the potato”. Indulge yourself but remember moderation is key!
After this, can you blame me for loving Queens?
Tulcingo Deli
4010 Junction Blvd.
Corona, NY 11368
(718) 424-0404
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Yum! Must tell my sister-in-law in Brooklyn about this place. She’s always on the lookout for Mexican products, and hasn’t been able to find more than queso fresco in her area of town.
Love, love agua de jamaica. Tastes really good with a spritz of lime juice.
Hi Lesley! Thank you for stopping in! Your blog is really cool. I can only imagine the yummy goodness you smelled when you saw the man frying up fresh chicharron in that market. Your sister should definitely come to Corona and check out the markets there. I thought Sunset Park had a some sources for Mexican products since there’s a large community there?
Ooh, I’ll have to try the agua de jamaica with lime juice. I think it might be my drink for summer ’10!
I feel the same way about DC, except the variety and options are definitely more abundant in NY (or burroughs thereof).
Agua frescas are so refreshing…have you had pineapple or watermelon? those are yummy too, especially made fresh!
I love the chicharron bin, i would stop in a few times a week, especially if i can smell it from the sidewalk. have you ever tried to crumble it up and use it for cooking? you can add to scramble eggs, oatmeal, grits, veggies, meatloaf, and dare I say it…yes, fried rice!
its like crumbs of pork goodness that can add flavor and texture to most dishes!
oh wait…just had a revelation, chicharron crumbs in congee, with some of that salted duck egg…damn! make it and invite me over Joyce!
@Tina: Going to have to disagree with you on DC’s food scene. It’s gotten better over the years but it’s still a long ways away from the abundance of NYC. Too bad we can’t merge the two areas together (food-wise)!
Nope, haven’t had pineapple or watermelon agua frescas. Thanks for the tip, I’ll scope it out and see how to make it at home.
I have thought of adding chicharron crumbles to dishes – actually, I suggested to my client that he use it on his menu as a special. Personally, I prefer to snack on it straight. I may do chicharron in congee one of these days but not anytime soon. It’s too hot to make congee at home.
You can make congee yourself and add all the whozits and whatnots to it!
would be awesome if we could combine DC and NY food options! Philly should be the meeting point, right?
oooh, just had an idea pop into my head as I am reading your response….chicharron crumbles on top deviled eggs?? whatcha think?
We could only wish that Philly would be the meeting point! At least Philly had a definitive Chinatown unlike DC.
Chicharron crumbs on deviled eggs would be quite nice. With all these lovely pork-centric ideas, I must say that I fear for your cholesterol levels, Tina. Then again that would be the pot calling the kettle back! LOL!
well, lucky or unlucky for me….no fresh chicharron suppliers in DC!
maybe DC “is” better, decrease supply = decrease indulgence = healthier Tina
A healthy Tina is a good thing. You can always hop on the Tripper Bus to swing by and grab some chicharron!