Are there any uninteresting neighborhoods in NYC - seems not! Or maybe it’s just that you research and write so well. Loved the stories behind the squirrels, the Led Zeppelin riot, and the lost parking spot, and laughed at your interpretation of the overhead photo of the Crescents as a drive-in. Thanks for a great read.
Not as well as you, although I was born and raised. My knowledge is limited to Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, where I lived and worked for many years.
I miss my city every day, and I’m grateful to you for sharing your experience, research, and photos.
Took a really good walking tour of the Rego Park Bukharian Jewish Community led by Manashe Khaimov back in 2017, which got me hooked. Subsequently had the chance to visit Bukhara proper, where the enormous Jewish cemetery has graves dating back 1,000 years. There are still two much-diminished synagogues still functioning there.
Just the little bit of research I did this week makes me want to visit Bukhara. That tour sounds great. I tried to get a tour of the Bukharian Museum but I ran out of time.
So many juicy tidbits in this one! Can't believe that is the HoJo's that launched my favorite 90 year old chef. I was worried that I am the only lowbrow who associates Rego with King of Queens until I saw the caption at the end - phew
The 10th photo, with the big brick apartment buildings. I lived in one of those buildings in the 70s for 6 years. It's where we landed when my family first immigrated here.
oh wait, no you're right. That is LeFrak City. Ok I lied, I lived in the complex of similar looking apartments right across the expressway from Lefrak. Although I did go to LeFrak to go swimming nearly every day in the summers. I really am a Queens girl 😄
Park City maybe? I confused things by putting LFC city in the Rego Park post but in my defense, I was standing in Rego Park at the time I took the picture.
Yes, though I don't know if it was called that back in the 70s. I'm reading now that they are "luxury coops" which they were definitely not back then. Is LeFrak not Rego Park? Despite growing up in Queens, I'm geographically stupid when it comes to that borough.
That 6th photo in the sights and sounds of the tree shadow on the bush is just...mmm. Chef's kiss.
I was trying to figure out why Spiegelman's name was so familiar to me until you got to the bit about Maus. I did my college senior thesis on holocaust literature (it was a depressing semester), and I was forbidden from using Maus because it was so well known (I secretly think it's because my professor didn't think graphic novels were valid scholarly sources). Either way, it's genius.
Thanks Justin! I love that they just pruned a hole in the middle of the bush so they could see out their window. Maus was groundbreaking. Your professor sounds like a stick in the mud.
Grew up in rego park (67th and Austin), forever telling people I’m from Forest Hills. It used to be because I thought it sounded more glamorous, now it’s because no one (not even native New Yorkers) know what rego park is. I’ve recently started saying “just outside Forest Hills - in Rego Park” but that last bit still gets lost.
I’ll forever miss Ben’s Best. Haven’t been back in years but do need to find the time to wander again. Really enjoyed this - a blast from my past!
After going there I looked into the possibility of getting a small tandoor oven for home. Decided it would be much easier to hop on an R train next time I have a hankering.
Are there any uninteresting neighborhoods in NYC - seems not! Or maybe it’s just that you research and write so well. Loved the stories behind the squirrels, the Led Zeppelin riot, and the lost parking spot, and laughed at your interpretation of the overhead photo of the Crescents as a drive-in. Thanks for a great read.
So far no, but maybe I’m saving them all for last which is a terrible strategy. That squirrel story is too good. Easy for me to say. Thanks Michael!
Huzzah! You made it to my neighborhood, and did it great justice with those lovely photographic compositions. Real Good Post!
Great place to wander!
My first reaction was, “Ben’s Best is gone?!?”
Second reaction: these are the most Rego Park-ish photos I’ve ever seen.
I’d move back in a heartbeat.
So glad the photos pass the Rego Park vibe check! Sorry you had to hear about Ben's Best from me first. You know this city well!
Not as well as you, although I was born and raised. My knowledge is limited to Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, where I lived and worked for many years.
I miss my city every day, and I’m grateful to you for sharing your experience, research, and photos.
Love the arrow with the tiny red ‘E’ and the two tree trunks under the bridge pictures.
Took a really good walking tour of the Rego Park Bukharian Jewish Community led by Manashe Khaimov back in 2017, which got me hooked. Subsequently had the chance to visit Bukhara proper, where the enormous Jewish cemetery has graves dating back 1,000 years. There are still two much-diminished synagogues still functioning there.
Just the little bit of research I did this week makes me want to visit Bukhara. That tour sounds great. I tried to get a tour of the Bukharian Museum but I ran out of time.
If you're serious about visiting Bukhara, I can vouch for this group: https://silkroadtreasuretours.com/tours/jewish-heritage-tour-to-uzbekistan/
Been there but back in the 70s
Loved the story u wrote.
Thanks Jim!
So many juicy tidbits in this one! Can't believe that is the HoJo's that launched my favorite 90 year old chef. I was worried that I am the only lowbrow who associates Rego with King of Queens until I saw the caption at the end - phew
I had to work KOQ in the there somehow. Thanks Hailey- Happy Cooking!
Great post as always!
Thanks Renato!
I grew up here!! What fun to read this
Are you still in the neighborhood?
No. It’s been quite a while since I lived here It was such fun to see my childhood neighborhood
Do you live there?
"This guy again?" LOL
BTW I clicked for the predator shrieks (because that's how I roll) but it went to the protective squirrel clip.
Shoot, updated the pigeon vid, thanks!
Totally worth it, thank you!
It is a pretty hilarious segment, from the reporter to her interview subjects to the screeching noises.
5 stars!
The 10th photo, with the big brick apartment buildings. I lived in one of those buildings in the 70s for 6 years. It's where we landed when my family first immigrated here.
LeFrak City? You've lived all over!
oh wait, no you're right. That is LeFrak City. Ok I lied, I lived in the complex of similar looking apartments right across the expressway from Lefrak. Although I did go to LeFrak to go swimming nearly every day in the summers. I really am a Queens girl 😄
Park City maybe? I confused things by putting LFC city in the Rego Park post but in my defense, I was standing in Rego Park at the time I took the picture.
Yes, though I don't know if it was called that back in the 70s. I'm reading now that they are "luxury coops" which they were definitely not back then. Is LeFrak not Rego Park? Despite growing up in Queens, I'm geographically stupid when it comes to that borough.
Technically in Corona, but really, it's its own city.
That 6th photo in the sights and sounds of the tree shadow on the bush is just...mmm. Chef's kiss.
I was trying to figure out why Spiegelman's name was so familiar to me until you got to the bit about Maus. I did my college senior thesis on holocaust literature (it was a depressing semester), and I was forbidden from using Maus because it was so well known (I secretly think it's because my professor didn't think graphic novels were valid scholarly sources). Either way, it's genius.
Thanks Justin! I love that they just pruned a hole in the middle of the bush so they could see out their window. Maus was groundbreaking. Your professor sounds like a stick in the mud.
Grew up in rego park (67th and Austin), forever telling people I’m from Forest Hills. It used to be because I thought it sounded more glamorous, now it’s because no one (not even native New Yorkers) know what rego park is. I’ve recently started saying “just outside Forest Hills - in Rego Park” but that last bit still gets lost.
I’ll forever miss Ben’s Best. Haven’t been back in years but do need to find the time to wander again. Really enjoyed this - a blast from my past!
Forest Hills gets too much glory, it’s time to Make Rego Park Real Good again! I feel like I could make some serious money making hats that say that.
Wish I could have checked out Ben’s Best. The Spring Thai fusion place that replaced it seems like a a major downgrade.
My first time learning about the squirrel attacks! I never trusted those bastards.
They are really just bushy tailed rats who prefer life aboveground. I’m not sure why they get a free pass.
Ha, I've always avoided them as judiciously as I avoid the rats
Rokhat bakery looks so good!! I've been missing a good tandoor baked bread in my life
After going there I looked into the possibility of getting a small tandoor oven for home. Decided it would be much easier to hop on an R train next time I have a hankering.
Loved this. I spent many happy times in Rego Park as a kid visiting relatives who lived in the Anitas on 63rd Drive. I even got married in Rego Park!
Amazing! Where did you get married?
In our apartment on 99th St ! Then we took everyone out to My Kitchen on Austin St., which was reserved just for our guests. It was perfect.