Zohran Mamdani has been New York City’s mayor for less than a week, and already he’s been eating well.
Food has always been part of his DNA: He often visited and shouted out independent restaurants, mom-and-pop operations, and street food carts across the five boroughs during his time as a New York State Assemblymember and his successful mayoral campaign. His new position is no exception.
On January 1, during his inauguration speech, Mamdani often mentioned food. He talked about supporting New Yorkers “who feed us biryani and beef patties, picanha and pastrami on rye.” He named-dropped his favorite pizza spot in the city, Morningside Heights Koronet Pizza. And then he succinctly expressed the wonders of the city: “Where else can you hear the sound of the steelpan, savor the smell of sancocho, and pay $9 for coffee on the same block? Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox every Sunday?”
And for that inauguration ceremony, Mamdani ordered catering from one of his favorite restaurants, the 24/7 Jackson Heights spot Kabab King. A feast of chicken, samosas, and biryani paired up with tea and coffee from Yemeni coffee chain Qahwah House (which has locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens).
For Mamdani’s second day as mayor of New York City, he grabbed dinner from Astoria Bangladeshi restaurant Boishakhi. He got chicken roast and aloo (potato bortha) from the steam table joint.
Then, at some point during Mamdani’s first mayor week, he returned to one of his favorite restaurants, Elmhurst Thai spot Zaab Zaab. He ordered the popular duck larb as well as sticky rice and skewers, per the restaurant’s Instagram post.
