QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CROWNS AREPAS CAFÉ AS QUEENS’ BEST SOUP ESTABLISHMENT

​On Wednesday, February 11, the Queens Chamber of Commerce—the borough’s oldest and largest business association—announced Arepas Café as the winner of its inaugural Queens’ Best Soup Competition. The competition, which launched on January 9, invited locals to nominate and vote for their favorite spots serving up bowls of the winter favorite, with the beloved Astoria staple emerging as the champion.
 
“Congratulations to Arepas Café for being named Queens’ Best Soup,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “This inaugural competition was a celebration of the incredible culinary talent and cultural diversity found across Queens. From traditional comfort soups to bold new flavors, the passion and creativity of our local restaurants truly shined. We’re proud to spotlight a small business like Arepas Café that brings warmth, community, and delicious flavor to the borough.”
 
“We are truly honored to be named Queens’ Best Soup,” said Riccardo Romero, Owner of Arepas Café. “This recognition means so much to our team, because every bowl we serve is made with love, tradition, and a deep connection to our community. Soup is comfort, culture, and care — and we’re grateful to everyone in Queens who supported us, voted for us, and continues to show up for small local businesses. Thank you to the Queens Chamber of Commerce for creating this special competition and for celebrating the restaurants that make this borough so unique! Remember, life is better with a bowl of soup.”
 
Elected officials representing the area weighed in on the win.
 
"'No soup for you' is a phrase that you will definitely not hear in Queens, which is extremely proud of all the establishments across the borough that serve up hearty and tasty soup to their eager customers,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. ”Of course, only one soup purveyor can be said to offer the best soup in Queens. Congratulations to Arepas Café in Astoria on winning the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Best Soup Competition. I encourage everyone to ward off this persistent chill by enjoying some of Arepas Café's warm and delicious soup."
 
"Congratulations to Arepas Café for winning Best Soup in Queens! Thank you to the Queens Chamber of Commerce for putting on this competition and all the New Yorkers who partake in this tradition,” said Senator Kristen Gonzalez.
 
“Congratulations to Arepas Café for winning first place and I Love Paraguay for winning second place in the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Best Soup’ competition,” said Council Member Julie Won. “My district is lucky to have both restaurants share their culture and love for community with us through their homemade, authentic food.”
 
In total, residents nominated 20 businesses for this contest. The top three businesses selected by the public were:

1. Arepas Café (Astoria)
2. I Love Paraguay Restaurant (Sunnyside)
3. Good Taste Restaurant and Catering (Cambria Heights)

 
In addition to earning the title of Queens’ Best Soup, Arepas Café received a plaque and a complimentary year of membership to the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The second and third-place winners also received certificates.
 
This is the 13th “Best of Queens” food competition. Prior contests settled debates over the borough’s best pizza, burgers, halal, empanadas, barbecue, tacos, frozen desserts, bagels, pad thai, tavern, bakery, and deli.
 
​​Press release available for download, below. 

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