Before an overseas trip from JFK airport, we took the opportunity to visit our favorite airport hotel, the TWA Hotel. I arranged to arrive the day before our flight since it takes some of the stress out of the trip if you’re hit with a flight delay or cancellation of a positioning flight.
While the hotel is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, it does have some shortcomings. Two of the main ones are that it isn’t near anything except the airport and that there are limited options for meals on-site. Our flight wasn’t leaving until 7 PM, and we had several hours between the hotel check-out time and when we’d need to be back at the airport to check in for our flight. We wanted to try and get some New York food that we can’t find at home. I tried to find a bagel shop but there wasn’t one nearby. The closest place was a 15-minute drive but pulling up Uber/Lyft showed a price of $30+ for a one-way ride. Paying $70 after tip for a $5 bagel with cream cheese and lox wasn’t happening.
Since using a taxi, Uber, or Lyft was out of the question, we needed to take public transport. Another disadvantage of staying at the TWA Hotel is that the best way to connect to the MTA system (Subway/Train) is the AirTrain. We figured we might as well make the trip worthwhile.
Initially, we thought it would make sense to head to Manhattan. I looked up our options, and we decided to get a deli sandwich. Our previous favorite deli closed several years ago, and we’ve started going to Junior’s as an alternate. It’s in midtown and is close to where we usually stay when we visit NYC. But then I remembered we were in Queens and came up with another option. Instead of going to Manhattan, why not head to Brooklyn and eat at the original Junior’s?
Junior’s
386 Flatbush Avenue EXT
Brooklyn, New York 11201
718-852-5257
If you’re visiting from JFK Airport, the quickest way to get there is to take the LIRR from Jamaica Station to the Atlantic Terminal. The round-trip train tickets cost $31, so the price to get from our hotel to Junior’s and back skyrocketed to $62.
It’s also possible to get to the area from Manhattan by taking the B Train on the subway to DeKalb Ave. Station.
We walked up to the side door and the greeter told us to wait outside for 10-15 minutes for a table.
When our table was ready, we were led through the bar to the main dining room. It wasn’t anything like I expected from the newer Manhattan locations. While those are glitzy with bright orange colors everywhere, this location reminded me of a Howard Johnson restaurant, if you’re old enough to remember what those were like.
While the decor was different, the menu was basically the same. We only had to look at the sandwiches part of the menu to find our selections.
Sharon ordered her usual, a corned beef sandwich on rye bread with a Dr. Brown’s Diet Cream soda.
I went with one of the classics, a Reuben with fries and a Brooklyn Lager. I was a bit thrown off by the dressing on the side.
The meal also comes with pickles, beets and coleslaw, which we ate before taking pictures. Sorry.
While this would usually be enough food to fill us up for hours, we were planning to try to get some sleep on the plane and not worry about eating during our red-eye flight. Why not finish the meal with a slice of the World’s Most Fabulous Cheesecake?
I’m glad we got a chance to visit the original Junior’s location in Brooklyn. While the appearance isn’t what we’re used to, the food was just as good. If you’re looking for a sandwich or getting some cheesecake to bring back to the room, I’d choose whichever location is closest. If getting the original experience is important, it’s not difficult to get to Brooklyn.
Just try not to visit when staying at the TWA Hotel. Because if you do, be prepared to pay $40-$60 to get there.
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