By Jordan Heller
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
GREENWICH VILLAGE — For more than 25 years, Manhattanites have been trekking out to Jackson Heights, Queens, for the rich curries and crispy samosas of Jackson Diner, a Little India institution since 1983.
That commute has been drastically cut short, now that the eatery has recently opened up a new location at 72 University Place in Greenwich Village.
They're currently awaiting a liquor license, but for Jackson Diner fans, it's always been about the food.
Meredith Rose, who lives on East 10th Street, said she'd been hearing about the diner in Queens for years and had always planned to venture out there.
"When they moved around the corner, I thought, great, this is a lot easier," said Rose, who sampled the menu at the new location with a friend on Monday night.
Sharon Haviv, who recently moved to University Place from Harlem and came into the new location for the first time Monday night, is a longtime fan of the Jackson Diner.
"I used to drive out to Jackson Heights from Harlem all the time, then I move down here and there's a little piece of Jackson Heights right here in the Village," said Haviv.
"I'm glad it's here now," she said. "It's good Indian comfort food."
Manjit Singh, 36, who owns the Jackson Diner and whose father opened the original location, said he was worried at first about moving into Manhattan.
"I know we have a big following from Manhattan that comes out to Jackson Heights," said Singh. "I was concerned those people would come here instead, and the restaurant in Queens would suffer. It's the first time we took the name and the food out of Queens — but so far, so good."
The menu at both Jackson Diners are similar to what you'd find at most Indian restaurants, but Singh said his success was due to using fresh ingredients and "not taking shortcuts."
"For example, we use fresh tomatoes for our chicken tikka masala," said Singh. "A lot of other places you can taste the ketchup. I've seen it — but I won't say who."
Though the new Jackson Diner is now conveniently located in Greenwich Village, Singh said the new location has yet to attract the same star-studded clientele who trekked out to its Queens location.
Among the celebrities who have been spotted at the Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights include Hillary Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Harrison Ford and Sarah Jessica Parker, Singh said.
"But we just opened during the holiday season and we didn't advertise, so it's only a matter of time," said Singh.
Until they get their liquor license, the Jackson Diner at 72 University Place is BYOB.
