SUNNYSIDE — A new restaurant opening in Queens will bring a Colombian flavor to the borough.
Los Verdes, a Colombian-style eatery with three locations in Florida, will open its first New York City location on Thursday in Sunnyside, at 46-26 Greenpoint Ave.
"This will be our first of many," said owner Javier Quezada, 29, a Queens native and military veteran who first tasted Los Verdes while stationed in Miami before deploying to Iraq.
"Once I ate there, I was like, I need to take this to New York someday," Quezada said.
The restaurant offers "upmarket" Colombian-style fast food and drinks, and is open for late-night diners in search of a bite, closing at 3 a.m. during the week and 6 a.m. on weekends.
One of their most popular items is a signature dish called kernel corn — kernels of corn mixed with a special sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, topped with crushed potato chips and a choice of bacon, chicken or steak.
Another hit are Los Verdes burgers, made with 100 percent all-natural Angus choice beef, which comes directly from Miami, Quezada said.
Other menu offerings include homemade coleslaw, quesadilla, grilled platters and hot dogs. Drinks include beer and fresh fruit juices, and the location will have table service, take-out and delivery.
Rachel Thieme, director of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, said the BID was excited to welcome the Miami chain.
"They will bring even more great food options, including late-night food, to the neighborhood," she said in a statement.
Quezada said he chose Sunnyside for his newest location because of its diversity.
"Sunnyside is a very multi-cultural community," he said. "We thought this was the perfect location."
Los Verdes will have a grand opening party on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 9 p.m., featuring live music and free beer.
