Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Gunning for Gringos at Jackson Heights' Green Plantains
By
Joe DiStefano
Published Mar 18, 2008
Modified Mar 18, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Joe DiStefano
Published Mar 18, 2008
Modified Mar 18, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
While many folks were busy guzzling green beer, two food-obsessed Queens residents checked out a new restaurant in Jackson Heights for lunch yesterday. Since the joint is called Green Plantains, token points for St. Patrick’s day spirit should be awarded, even if there was no corned beef and cabbage to be had.
Green Plantains bills itself as a “Nuevo Chino Latino Dining Experience.” Edward Ng, who helped craft the menu for acclaimed Bronx Chino-Latino eatery Sabrosura, also had a hand in the menu of this two-week old Roosevelt Avenue eatery. Ng grew up in the Dominican Republic and the food at Green Plantains reflects his heritage, with such dishes as ropa vieja and chicharron de pollo. Given that the menu includes the word “restaurants,” after the name and the fact that there's a second Green Plantains in Gainesville, Fla., it seems that the folks behind this concept plan on opening more locations. Also, the logo was plastered everywhere in the dining room, along with huge posters of its specialties.
So just what the heck is Nuevo Chino Latino anyway? For one thing it's Lo-Mein Caribeno with longaniza. The tangle of noodles mixed with porky longaniza sausage, assorted veggies and minced peanuts was slightly greasy, but in a good way. The one NCL dish that was regrettably not ordered was the Chofan Nuevo Latino, or fried rice with pork chicharron and bacon. Green Plantains Mofongo, the thing that looks like a beige Pac-Man monster, also falls into the NCL category, although it's obviously more Latino. The mountain of mashed plantains is suffused with roasted garlic and shotgunned with bits of pork chicharron. It's a savory starch bomb, though the "special sauce" is nothing to write home to the D.R. about.
*Chicharron de pollo,*the sole straight-up Dominican dish ordered, was disappointing, that is unless you're expecting deep-fried chicken breast tenders, in which case it's pretty good. However, the menu lists it as chicken cracklings. Whoever's in the kitchen gets a pass for now, but they should get to Margon in Midtown so they can bone up on this dish.
Green Plantains, 79-09 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights, 718-639-3133
Tagged
green plantains
jackson heights
Nuevo Chino-Latino
Sabrosura
Joe DiStefano
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Published Oct 26, 2026 at 10:01 a.m. ET
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .