Carmichael’s Diner: 117-08 Guy R. Boulevard, Rochdale 723-6908

Cuisine: Southern

Open: 7 days, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Parking: Lot & street parking

Dining at Carmichael’s Diner is more than having good food at a popular eatery. It is experiencing history itself.

Carmichael’s is — as the saying goes — a legend in its own time.

Founded in 1971 by the enterprising Carmichael brothers, the bus-shaped restaurant serves authentic, budget-friendly southern fare. With prices ranging from $7.60 to $12.90 for entrees such as smothered or fried chicken, hot and cold sandwiches or broiled filet of sole or Maine lobster, diners are never at a loss for a good meal at a good price.

A staple of the Southeast Queens community since 1971, Carmichael’s authentic soul food is the magnet which attracts customers, but it is not the only thing which keeps them coming back for more. The place is a favorite watering hole for the power brokers of the community and many a business and political deal has been brokered within its hallowed walls.

Politicians from all over this city — indeed, country — have paid homage to the mighty Carmichael’s. Approriately, the street on which it is located, underwent a name change in the early ‘80s. The name was changed from New York Boulevard to Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, in honor of one of the community’s first and most powerful black politicians, the Assemblyman Guy Brewer. And if those walls could talk, current diners would be regaled with the exploits of the fiery trailblazer who founded a democratic club and was reincarnated as a Boulevard.

For those in the know about the Jazz scene in Queens, Carmichael’s basement is one of the best places in the City for jammin’ and listening to musicians – young and old – lend their souls to the creation of music.

My recent lunch at the historic eatery was predictably good. They make the best grits I’ve ever had outside of South Carolina, and that is what I ordered with my fried whiting. The fish — fried uncoated — was perfection itself. The grits were cooked to a flawless consistency and together, they made the perfect lunch.

I topped it off with a small peach cobbler that almost defies description. It was served piping hot (with choice of whipped cream or ice cream). I had it without either one – and it didn’t need them. Where other people’s peach cobbler may have a thin layer of flour over it, this peach cobbler has a large piece of cake-like pastry — moist and delicious. Peach cobblers also tend to be too sweet, but not at Carmichael’s, where the art of finding the right amount of sweetning and serving at a great temperature have been mastered.

The Carmichael’s experience also includes an array of drinks in the "from our fountain" section. Ice cream soda, milk shake and malted milk shake are all featured to remind us of another place and time.

Indeed, entering Carmichael’s is a trip back in time and to dine there is almost to be patriotic.