Queens’ Food Fest Bites in Astoria

Astoria’s streets chewed last night with Queens’ Spring Food Fest, tasting NYC’s season. Chef Lena Carter slung gyros as 1,000 chowed, a $6 plate bash on 30th. It’s borough bites—pure Queens vibe, grills hot. A kid nabbed a falafel; a pro slurped soup. ‘Queens eats—this is it,’ Carter says, flipping pitas. The curbs turned buffet.

The fest’s fresh—April 3’s kickoff, it tripled since RSVPs, packing blocks by noon. Carter’s a LIC cook; last night’s crowd hit max—sauces flew. A line snaked for kebabs; cash buzzed—NYC grit glowed. Runs one day—eats ruled. #AstoriaFood trended; Brooklyn’s hungry.

Some griped—’Too greasy,’ sniped a dieter, dodging oil. Trash piled—cans rolled; swept slow. A rival’s pitching a Flushing fry, splitting plates. Still, 2,000 stayed—flavors reigned. Astoria’s never tasted so bold.

Carter’s teasing a monthly run, maybe a park if spring bites. ‘NYC’s plate—this fills it,’ she says, wiping grills. The fest’s a Queens win—grit meets grub. It’s a food rush; catch the next. Bring a fork—bites call.