What’s Happenin’ On Jackson!?!

IN doing the reconnaissance for my last post, I couldn’t help but notice all the changes happening on Jackson Avenue. By changes I mean new retail establishments, and by retail establishments I mean food. Does anything else matter?

The biggest arrival to date is Trader Joe’s, but before you even get that far north (or is it east?), a new storefront looking like a convenience mart/deli at 22-22 called ABC Eats looks to ready to open any day. Just past the Court Square Diner is a new takeout called Heng Thai in the shoebox previously housing Gaw-Gaw, which was also Thai and which is separated from Yin Traditional Hot Pot two storefronts north by a XXX video store. Next up at 24-20 is Pantry Market Eatery with breakfast served all day, paninis, wraps, salads, bowls, burgers and more.

A tip of the hat to Brooks Restaurant 1890, which hasn’t changed its stripes since 1890. Then we glide past Xi’an Famous Foods, Levante, Levante’s wine store, and Partners Coffee, all of which are now relegated as old-hands, before taking notice of all the food trucks and street carts a bit further north on the other side of the street: Asian fried chicken, Thai Taste, Whatever Foods, (dumplings & more), China Guan Bing – scallion pancakes with chicken or duck and other tasty specialties. And from another region comes One Love – Jamaican food, think jerk chicken & pork, oxtail, fish, and sweet plantains, oh mon! Sharing this stretch we’ve got Sapp’s and Dutch Kills Bar which houses Troppo Stretto Sandwiches. Lest we forget, there’s also Juliet, which is not open yet.

Meanwhile across the street a troika of new places are ready to burst open in a development called Jackson Plaza. The aforementioned Dun Huang, followed by Paris Baguette, then Mito – an asian fusion sushi lounge. Then back across the street again for Franky’s Souvlaki, a food truck from …Astoria.

Finally on our stroll we hit the big guns anchoring the top of the Avenue. Penny Bridge and The JACX Food Hall on one side, Sweetleaf and Murray’s Cheese Bar & Restaurant on the other. Having channeled my inner Anthony Bourdain to share with you these culinary delights, now you too know what’s happenin’ on Jackson.