Patel Brothers

Chefs all over the city head to this enormous grocery store in Jackson Heights—just a block off the 7 train—to stock up on South Asian ingredients like ghee, spices, dals, and otherwise hard-to-find produce. The store also sells an interesting selection of pre-prepared frozen and boxed foods as well as sweets and savory snacks. Give yourself time to wander the aisles before exploring the neighborhood’s many sari shops and Indian bakeries.