Global eats in Beacon (Part 2)

A bowl of Momo Valley’s hearty Thupka Soup

With so many incredible international food choices in Beacon, NY, we found ourselves having to create a two-part story to highlight them all.

So, welcome to Part 2 of our Global Eats feature, picking up from last week—halfway along Main Street—from the west to the east side of the city.

Tandoori chicken, anyone?

Kennedy Fried Chicken (392 Main Street)

Chicken likely comes to mind when you think of Kennedy Fried Chicken (obvs!). But probably not Tandoori chicken. Well, this long-time Beacon establishment happens to serve a delicious version of this Indian specialty over rice with a salad and a can of soda for only $10. Who knew?

It’s why we included Kennedy Fried Chicken in this international food blog and will definitely include it in our lunchtime rotation. Kennedy also offers halal kofta kebabs, which further burnishes its unlikely credentials as a Beacon international food destination.

Great Wall (393 Main Street)

Lo Mein, chow fun, fried rice, dumplings, won ton soup, and all kinds of Chinese beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp dishes. Great Wall has all that and much more. Take out or eat in at this newly refurbished Main Street staple.

Combining traditional with the eclectic

Mushroom quesadilla from Draught Industries.

Draught Industries (394 Main Street)

Draught Industries is primarily known for its craft beer and cocktails, but it’s also super popular with foodies because of its Mexican food. Why? Because its chef has created a menu that stands out from the other Mexican spots in Beacon by deftly combining the traditional with the eclectic. Sure, there’s taco, burritos, and enchiladas on the menu, but have you ever tried a wild boar quesadilla? How about a burrito made with chicken breast stewed in a pumpkin seed mole verde sauce? If that’s not adventurous enough for you, try a pescado taco stuffed with tempura white fish with guacamole chipotle honey remoulade. Have a delicious churro for dessert if you have any room left.

Himalayan heaven

Momo Valley (455 Main Street)

It’s a long journey from Beacon to Nepal. So, thankfully, Nepal has come to the city in the form of Momo Valley. After getting started in the Hudson Valley Food Hall, this Nepalese restaurant made the leap to its very own restaurant space and has continued to wow Beacon eaters with food based on generations-old family recipes. The super light chicken, beef, or spinach and cheese momo dumplings are the star of the show, and the Everest Platter (lentil soup, rice, curried chicken, string beans, potatoes, garlic greens, pickled/ferment relish) provides a great sampling of Nepalese cuisine without having to order multiple dishes. We also highly recommend the vegan version of the Everest Platter and the Gundruk Ko Jhol (fermented leafy green soup), especially on a cold winter day. (Vegan-friendly)

Brother’s Trattoria (465 Main Street)

If you want Italian food in Beacon, go to super friendly Brother’s Trattoria. That was easy. Mainly because Brother’s food is excellent! Whatever on the menu appeals to you is what you should order—from their many pastas to their wide variety of pizzas. One of The Beacon Beacon’s favorites is the Cavatelli Alla Duresa, which is cavatelli pasta tossed with shrimp sauteed with shallots and sun-dried tomatoes in roasted garlic infused olive oil with fresh basil. We’re getting hungry just writing about this locals’ favorite! (Vegan-friendly)

Vegan bowl, smash burger, and masala fries from Nansense.

Nansense (2 Eliza Street)

The food in this newly opened restaurant in the heart of the city is from Afghanistan, which is nearly as far from Beacon as Nepal is. Although Nansense doesn’t market itself as fusion cuisine, its signature offering is hamburgers seasoned with Afghan spices that make them taste somewhat like a kofta kabob. The masala fries come dusted with more exotic spices, and the beef, chicken, bean, or eggplant rice bowls plus a side of Afghan bread make a perfect lunch. (Vegan-friendly)

Don’t skip the Sri Lankan

Red Pepper Diner (441 Fishkill Avenue)

Who would guess from the name Red Pepper Diner that this modest restaurant on the edge of Beacon serves incredible Sri Lankan food? Hoppers—a thin, bowl-shaped pancake made of rice flower—are a specialty here, served with a delicately cooked egg in the bottom. Red Pepper Diner also makes a variety of curries including a wonderful fish curry often made with Kingfish. Side dishes include fragrant dal (lentil soup), sauteed eggplant, and shredded and seasoned coconut, to name just a few. The owners are super-friendly and welcoming, and beautifully produced videos of Sri Lankan food being cooked in an outdoor kitchen in the lush Sri Lankan countryside are always playing on the wide-screen TV, making the food here taste even better, if that’s possible! (Vegan-friendly)

Asian Ginger (451 Fishkill Avenue)

Asian Ginger might look like your typical Chinese takeout place, but the food here is more than a cut above that. It offers everything you’d expect from a Chinese takeout, but is surprisingly light, well-seasoned, and cooked with care and skill. Asian Ginger is well worth the short trip off Main Street. (Vegan-friendly)

Sukhothai (516 Main Street)

Sukhothai’s authentic Thai food is so good it has no trouble drawing folks all the way to the eastern end of Main Street. Its curries are rich, well-balanced, and flavorful, and they can be ordered to suit your spice tolerance. The menu also features Thai standbys such as pad thai, tom yum soup, and papaya salad. (Vegan-friendly)

And there’s more…

Tito Santana Taqueria (142 Main Street) (Mexican street food)

The Pandorica Restaurant  (165 Main Street) (Dr Who-themed restaurant with some English fare)

Baja 328 Tequila Bar Southwest Grill (328 Main Street) (Southwestern)

Asahi Poke & Tea (338 Main Street) (Asian seafood)

La Barbirria (385 Main Street) (Mexican)

Roma Nova (435 Fishkill Avenue) (Italian and Mexican)

Fuji Restaurant (1020 Wolcott Avenue) (Japanese/Asian Fusion)

If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, take a peek here for the full picture on global eats in Beacon, NY. See our Eat & Drink Directory for every restaurant, café, bar, coffee, and tea shop on and off Main Street.

Until next time…

The Beacon Beacon 🧡