Our Little Cafe
138-16 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica

Cuisine: Deli and Spanish

Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday; 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Phone: 526-4098, 739-6881

The intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Queens Boulevard, a couple of blocks away from the roar of the Van Wyck Expressway and its overhead AirTrain JFK guideway, as well as the glistening blue glass of Jamaica Hospital, is not about subtlety.

It’s an intersection where some of Queens’ biggest and most well-known municipal and transportation landmarks come together, an intersection that many New Yorkers—and soon, maybe even international travelers—have been through, though usually in a speeding vehicle.

Sitting diagonally in one corner of this tumultuous intersection is a tiny one-story sit-in deli called Our Little Cafe. It’s an anomalous oasis in a rush of car engines and flashing metal and glass, like the Queens gas station Jay Gatsby would pass on his drives to Manhattan from Long Island, and serves passing motorists and nearby hospital workers faithfully from 5:30 in the morning until quitting time.

The prices are exceptional at Our Little Cafe, where a standard menu of grilled deli foods is supplemented by a selection of Spanish dishes and seating for about 20 people at seven tables and a counter.

All breakfasts, for example, are under $3.65 (two eggs with ham, bacon or sausage, served with home fries, toast and a beverage).

Hot heroes, including the popular Philly Cheesesteak, chicken cutlet parmesan and meatball parmesan, with "all the works," are $4.50.

Cold sandwiches with every meat imaginable are available, too, for $4.50 or less. For those on an extreme budget, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with lettuce and tomatoes are only $1.50.

A jumbo burger with everything on it is only $3.50 and a lot better than the stuff at the popular national burger franchise across the street.

Very cheap soups and deserts are also available.

The Spanish menu is simple: All platters are $5, served with rice and beans or french fries and a salad. They include grilled or breaded beef, fried or baked chicken, meat stews and chicken wings.

The staff is friendly, and the dining area is bright and airy with a calming atmosphere. While there is free delivery available, Our Little Cafe is a great place to grab a good breakfast on the run or have a casual sit-down lunch in an area where slowing down is not an option.