A Restaurateur’s Guide to Bayside — The Best of Queens, NYC

Queens native and restaurant owner John Ryan carved out his career in the food industry in the 1980s, coming into the ownership of Bell Boulevard’s Bourbon Street and Kew Garden’s Austin Ale House. He also owns Bayside restaurant One Station Plaza, which serves American comfort food. Among Ryan’s favorites on his menu are the 16 oz. ribeye, shepherd’s pie with Guinness-braised short rib, and roasted beet salad.

If you’re wondering where to bring your friends, you can always go to Bayside and even come out with new friends, as Ryan calls Bayside the friendliest and most social neighborhood in New York City. Here’s a list of the must-visit sites in Bayside, according to him:

Bourbon Street is a Cajun/American sports bar and restaurant with full rooftop and second-floor Magnolia Catering Room access and capacity for 25 to 150 guests. Bourbon Street provides live music, UFC, and pay-per-view screenings with over 30 HDTV’s.

Feast on mouthwatering chicken & shrimp jambalaya, seafood gumbo or spicy Cajun sampler all while sipping on one of their many specialty cocktails and it will feel like you are sitting on the streets of the French Quarter itself. Need a great spot to unwind after a long day? Then Bourbon Street is the place to be. Can’t get enough of great Sunday brunch spots? Then why not check out the place voted by the NY Post as “The Best Brunch on a Budget in NYC”?

Austin's Steak and Ale House provides an atmosphere that infuses a comfortable pub-styled ambiance with a tap room offering a vast selection of domestic and international beer labels and spirits. Boasting one of the largest beer selections in Queens, Austin's Steak and Ale House has twenty individual tap lines that controls each beer for temperature and pressure settings, which assures a perfect pour every time. Every night, Austin's provides menu specials ranging from fresh roasted prime rib, lobster, and steak and ale pairings along with specialty priced appetizers, wings, and sports specials in the bar. The Dining Room is adorned in dark woods and etched glass surrounded by French doors and local artwork. Austin's offers al Fresco patio dining in the summer months.

Cheesy poutine at Austin’s Steak and Ale HousePhoto by Austin’s Steak and Ale House on Facebook — Cheesy poutine at Austin’s Steak and Ale House
*Photo by Austin’s Steak and Ale House on* *Facebook*

Martha's Country Bakery was founded with the goal of providing customers with classic American baked goods in a warm, friendly atmosphere. By baking all their products on-site, they fill their stores with the delicious smells of fresh cakes and pies to bring back that delightful, warm feeling every time of the year. Each day, they bake everything from scratch using the finest ingredients.

From apple pie to Red Velvet cupcakes, their treats are meant to bring you back to a time when a bite of something sweet could make the world a little brighter. Their coffee bar has become a beacon for coffee lovers everywhere. You can count on a superb cup of expertly roasted and richly brewed coffee every time. With a large number of flavors they are here to make your experience joyful every time for all seasons.

Espresso at Martha’s Country BakeryPhoto by Martha’s Country Bakery on their website — Espresso at Martha’s Country Bakery
*Photo by Martha’s Country Bakery on their* *website*

Respect to the oldest business in Bayside: Monahan and Fitzgerald! Enjoy comfort food with an Irish flair, 15 HD TVs for sporting events, and their private catering room.

And a warm welcome to the newest business in the neighborhood, Mad for Chicken, which opened during the pandemic and still has lines down the block.