From The Peopling of New York City

On my first visit to Jackson Heights, I interviewed the workers at the Khan Baba Buffet Restaurant that served a combination of Indian and Halal Chinese food. Though I was unable to record the conversation, my experience talking with the workers there was helpful and allowed me to reflect on their actions. When I first entered the restaurant, I felt an obligation to buy food before I started asking questions. I asked the first worker what she recommended on the menu, but she indicated to me that she did not understand too much English. Instead another female worker behind the counter recommended to me the “chicken and rice” dish. Upon her suggestion, I ordered the dish and started waiting for the food to be prepared. As I watched the first worker reheat the pre-prepared dish in the microwave, I took out my notepad and started asking the second worker questions about the restaurant. However, she quickly indicated to me that she was busy and would not answer any of my questions.

Unsatisfied after having recently purchasing a meal, I insisted on asking her questions. I introduced myself as a Hunter College student and described how my interest in this restaurant came from my personal experience of having a family restaurant that also mixed ethnic foods. She acknowledged my background but would not answer any questions, insisting that she was busy. I asked her if there was anyone I could speak to and she referred me to another worker, further back whom I later found was related.

When I met with the latter worker, He was much more willing to speak to me. Though I do not have a direct transcript, a paraphrased version is as follows:

Q: Why do you have a restaurant which features Chinese food and Indian food?

A: People like it. We have all types of Asian food. We are also adding Tibetan food.

Q: Do you find that customers buy these dishes?

A: Yes, the community supports it. People like it.

Q: When did this restaurant start?

A: This restaurant has been here for a while, but it was only recently that there was a change in ownership. We changed management about 5-6 months ago.

Q: Is this restaurant part of a chain?

A: Yes, there is another one in Woodhaven. It serves Indian and Nepalese food. The people there are friendlier. The manager has been running a business for about 21 years.

Q: What type of customers do you regularly serve?

A: All kinds of customers.

Q: I see that there are many restaurants here that also serve the same type of foods. What makes your restaurant different from the others?

A: Our restaurant has its own style. Every restaurant has its own style. This is very important. There is little substitute for taste.

Q: What is this Halal Chinese food?

A: It’s not your typical Chinese food. This is a bit spicy. Usually Chinese food is sweet, but we make it differently.

Q: What type of workers do you hire for the restaurant?

A: Family. All kinds of people, mostly through connections. Family doesn’t complain.

Q: Do you hire workers to deliver?

A: Yes. We do deliver about 2-3 blocks away. These delivers are rare. Most people come from the local community to eat.

Q: What do you think of the neighborhood here?

A: I don’t like it. There are too many Bangladesh and Palestinian. The people here are cheap people. They go to different restaurants and look at prices. They all try to save money.

Q: When is it the busiest for this restaurant?

A: Friday and Saturday for dinner. We hire performers and have live music.