The Bruce Springsteen of Queens: Sushi — The Big Boss Roll

From Thunder Road:

Darling you know just what I’m here for
So you’re scared and you’re thinking
That maybe we ain’t that young anymore

Show a little faith there’s magic in the night
You ain’t a beauty but hey you’re alright
Oh and that’s alright with me

Sometimes, on a Saturday night, after bustin’ my American ass all day painting my own dresser or building my own brownstone (with American blood, sweat and tears) The Boss needs a delicacy from the East to build up his bad-ass chi .

I’ve run the sushi city streets from Queens Boulevard to Thunder Road , and two champions stand tall above the imitators. And as the saying goes, one’s a little bit country and the other’s a little bit rock n’ roll.

T.J. Asian Bistro
50-19 Skillman Ave.
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 205-208

33 ounce Asahi bottles.

24 ounce Sapporo cans.

$6 large house sakis.

A spider roll that just doesn’t quit.

Sensory satisfaction. The sound of a water fall soothes your soul. A soft-spoken waitress glides to your table and whispers a most tantalizing combination of Japanese flavors. From high-brow sake and sashimi to house sake and the California roll, they have it all. An extensive menu of cooked and uncooked rolls, great appetizers and traditional Japanese entrees like bento and udon keeps you satisfied.

And if the raw bar is your thing, two smiling sushi chefs will tend to your every need. And all on a modest budget.

Oki
45-11 Queens Blvd.
Queens, NY 11104, USA
(718) 729-3666

Calling all bargain shoppers! Calling all bargain shoppers! 2 for 1 sushi on aisle four! 2 for 1 sushi on aisle four!

Need I say more? No . . . but I’ll give you a little bit.

5:30 to 7:30, Monday through Thursday, it’s happy hour in it’s purest form, 2 for 1 sushi rolls and sashimi. A fun, laid-back joint, this place put the Oki in Okie Dokie. Ten tables, 2 waitresses, 1 sushi chef and an on-site bathoom facility. What more could you need?

A great place to throw down with cheap sake and Asahi, Oki serves such novelties as “The Love Boat,” this obnoxious wooden boat. I actually witnessed it being shared by two macho Italian guys who did not appear to be in love . . .

But I guess great value can appeal to anyone’s sense of romance.

Springsteen of the Week! Springsteen of the Week!

Mom and Dad!

As most of you probably know, I turned the big 3-0 this past week. It’s a time for reflection. Where did I come from? What have I done with my life? I came to one realization: I’ve got amazing parents!

And in the spirit of milestones, this week we honor the people that made The Bruce Springsteen of Queens possible: Chris and Debra Efferson.

Believe it or not, Springsteen lover that I am, I actually sent them a copy of The Boss classic The River (Check it out! It will change your life!), and wrote my own personal interpretation for their 30th Anniversary. They were just kids when they had me, and I couldn’t be more in awe of the job they did raising me.

And now that I’m grown up, they’re such fun people. My mom’s a sweet as pie 4 foot 10 1/2 little Italian lady who calls me at 1:07 p.m. on my birthday to tell me that it’s been exactly 30 years since I was born. My dad’s a dessert lover with a huge heart and a big push-broom moustache that says yes to Gentleman Jack and no to crappy food (as seen above).

I couldn’t have come from two better Bosses.

So I present to you the prequel to the B.S.O.Q., Chris and Debra Efferson, my parents, my heroes, and this week, my Springsteens of the Week !

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