Restaurants in Jamaica, Queens

My favorite restaurant in downtown Jamaica -- and it's a great family place -- is Rincón Salvadoreño (92-15 149th St, Jamaica, 718-526-3220). It's big for the area with friendly service. Try the filling Salvadoran pupusas, but use plenty of that spicy slaw, otherwise the cheese- or meat-filled corn patties are too bland. The sesame horchata drink is outstanding.

Fast-food and takeout joints line Jamaica Avenue, but there's not much special. At the 165th pedestrian mall you can try Jamaican and West Indian pasties and other fried bits. Or, walk north for the delicious Guyanese-style curries and rotis at Sybil's (159-24 Hillside Ave, Jamaica, NY; limited seating).

There are more (and bigger) outposts of Sybil's in Richmond Hill and Brooklyn, but this one on Hillside will make you happy if you're looking for takeout that's delicious, hot, and cheap.

I'm a fan of out-of-the-way Portuguese restaurant O'Lavrador (138-40 101st Ave, Jamaica, 718-526-1526). Sausage, stuffed clams, and shrimp in a green salsa ...everything I've had from the restaurant has been spot on. The staff is attentive, and the atmosphere is a step up. It's not too far of a walk from downtown Jamaica or even Richmond Hill, but it's better to drive and hunt for parking.

Every Friday and Saturday in season, a farmers market opens on 160th street, just off Jamaica Avenue. Nothing beats fresh produce, even if you're taking it home for dinner.

The farmers market is a sidewalk extension of the Jamaica Market (90-40 160th St, Jamaica, NY). Inside the food court at Jamaica Market is nothing extraordinary, but decent enough for an uncrowded place to sip a coffee or eat a simple lunch.

El Coyote (178-27 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, NY, 718-558-5931)is east of downtown Jamaica, at Hillside and 179th Street, but worth the extra subway stop for very tasty Mexican food in a nice sit-down restaurant. The atmosphere is usually lively, especially on weekends, but it's not another tequila bar. The burritos and tacos are very good, but the real specials include more seafood and tastes of Mexico you won't find at a Tex-Mex place.