Queens’ Night Market Expands in Corona

Corona’s Queens Night Market is bigger than ever this winter, sprawling across a park with global eats. Last night, vendor Jay Patel slung spicy lamb skewers as lines snaked past midnight. The market’s a food UN—tacos, momos, arepas—all under $6, a steal in NYC. Lanterns glowed, music thumped, and 10,000 chowed down. ‘Queens is the world—this proves it,’ Patel says, flipping meat. It’s a tasty chaos only NYC pulls off.

The market’s doubled since last year, adding 20 stalls and a DJ booth pumping reggaeton. Patel’s a vet—five years in, he’s got fans from Brooklyn to Jersey. A kid scarfed three skewers, sauce on his chin, while parents sipped tamarind juice. Organizers dodged rain with tarps, keeping the grills hot. A new dessert row—mango lassi pops—sold out fast. Corona’s never slept so well-fed.

Some locals moan—trash piles up, and parking’s a war zone by 9 p.m. Vendors like Patel shrug off gripes; the cash flow’s worth it. A health inspector circled, but all passed—barely. The crowd’s a mix—hipsters, families, night owls—and #QueensEats is blowing up X. A rival market’s rumored in Flushing, but Corona’s king for now.

Patel’s plotting a spring upgrade—maybe a kebab cart if permits clear. ‘NYC lives for this—food’s our glue,’ he says, wiping his grill. The market’s a Queens staple, feeding the borough’s soul. It’s messy, loud, and delicious—peak city vibes. Hit it next Saturday; bring stretchy pants.