Jackson Diner Holds a Special Place in Residents’ Hearts and Stomachs
By Tori Lubin and Reilly Scott
A samosa with a soft, flavorful filling coated with a crispy fried outer layer sits on a plate next to chicken bathed in an eccentric orange sauce of cream and spice, known as chicken tikka masala. In a bowl directly next to the plate, a stack of naan serves as a vehicle to sop up this delicious masala sauce. Catchy Indian music fills the air. In this massive dining hall, elegant lamps hang from the ceiling on either side. Perched behind the bar at the back of the restaurant on a recent Tuesday afternoon, Manjit Singh gazed over the scene with a prideful eye.
“In general, what sets this restaurant apart is that it has stood time,” said Singh, the owner of Jackson Diner, located in Jackson Heights New York. “We slowly built a fanbase over all those years.”
The Jackson Diner has been a beacon in the Jackson Heights community for over thirty years. Bringing a diverse group of people together since 1983, the diner holds a special place in the heart of all that live here. The Jackson Diner is a fundamental piece to the community’s puzzle. Starting as an American diner in 1980, it slowly morphed into an Indian restaurant after it was bought by Singh’s father in 1983.
The makeup of the Jackson Heights neighborhood was beginning to change by the time that Singh’s father bought the diner.
“In ’83 there were only three or four Indian stores on this block,” Singh said. “Now the whole block is pretty much Indian stores.”
When Singh’s father took ownership, he planned to change the name to one that would reflect the change in menu. But those plans were never executed.
“People started knowing Jackson Diner for Indian food, so they would come for that,” Singh explained.
There was another, more practical reason to keep the name too.
“The building was going through renovation and didn’t have a sign for what ended up being six months,” Singh said, chuckling. “So they just took the old Jackson Diner sign and put it back up.”
The diner is not only a source of pride for Singh, but for the community as a whole.
“It’s number one in the area,” said Darun Bate, who works in inventory at the Indian-owned and operated Patel Brothers supermarket nearby.
Manjabi, who also works at Patel Brothers but declined to give his last name, flashed a gap-toothed smile when talking about the restaurant. He gingerly handled the can he was stacking in the aisle as he spoke.
Jackson Diner is a “very nice, good restaurant,” he said.
Other members of the Jackson Heights community also hold the Jackson Diner in high esteem.
Draped in vibrant yellow and orange colored cloth with her dark hair wrapped in an elaborate bun, Mone, an employee from a clothing store nearby, is one of these people, calling the diner a “good representation” of the Jackson Heights community.
“Every time I go it’s comfortable,” said Mone, who also declined to give her last name.
The quality of the Jackson Diner restaurant has caused it to be a standout in the community to both residents and visitors alike. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Bill and Hillary Clinton are just a few prominent figures who have eaten at the diner.
“Jackson Diner is a tourist spot, a lot of people go there,” said Quanal Kumar, sitting behind a fabric-covered desk at Samir Bridal Shop next door. “The tourists get to know our culture, our food and way of life.”
Surrun Cijuh, who also works at Samir, commented on the high caliber of food at the restaurant. He smiled as he described his favorite dish, the “butter chicken.”
Singh said his most popular dish is the chicken tikka masala.
“It’s a North Indian recipe with fresh tomatoes, onions, and finished with a little bit of cream,” Singh said.
Not all of the food at the Jackson Diner is Indian, however. The menu is a blend of flavors, including a small selection of traditional American cuisine, such as the chilli chicken, as well as “fusion types of food,” said Singh.
Fahme, a sales clerk from Samari clothing stores who gave only her first name, said the diner draws more business than other nearby Indian restaurants.
“It’s famous here more than any other restaurant,” she said.
Roop Sajani, who stood behind the counter at the Indian Sari Palace, located at the end of the block, agreed.
“Jackson Diner is most popular in this area,” he said. “It’s a big, clean, outstanding restaurant.”
He praised the restaurant for its excellent array of vegetarian food.
“I take all my children, my grandchildren there,” he said, his dark eyes smiling behind his thick glasses.
The Jackson Diner has been a symbol of the Jackson Heights community throughout decades, with a staff to show for it. Singh said some of his employees have been working at the Jackson Diner for thirty years.
“My favorite part is getting to know the customers and employees,” Singh said. “The people is what’s kept this place going. A lot of people that start with us stay with us.”
As famous as the Jackson Diner is, the American name of the diner continues to be a source of puzzlement.
“People still get confused, is this a burger place or an Indian restaurant?” Singh said with a laugh.
