Neerob

Edit: Neerob has undergone a change in ownership and is now known as Al Aqsa. The menu, employees, and quality all remain the same on multiple visits and the review has been updated though much is unchanged. Al Aqsa is a dine-in/take-out Bangladeshi restaurant located on the strip of Bengali grocery stores and restaurants on Starling Avenue in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx. Street parking is available, but its tough but possible to find a spot at any time of day, so leave the '57 Ford Fairlane at home and bring the Fiat 500 Abarth. There is plenty of seating inside and things only get tight during Ramadan. This restaurant was featured in the NY Times in 2011 by some well-intentioned white person. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/dining/reviews/neerob-in-the-bronx-nyc-restaurant-review.html?_r=0 The restaurant caters to the Parkchester immigrant Bangladeshi working-class population and so the vibe is communal and prices low. Cab drivers congregate here to catch a cup of tea, and at times Neerob seems to be more of a community center. Customers are addressed as 'Brother' or 'Sister,' by the hard-working staff. The flow is chaotic, but the staff manages that as best as they can. The informal, welcoming atmosphere that kept this reviewer coming back. This reviewer has been to this restaurant approximately 50 times over the past 2 years. The food is outstanding; it tastes homemade and is made to a high standard. There's a reason Bengalis flock to this Bengali restaurant. This reviewer hasn't been disappointed by anything yet. The samosas, pakoras, vegetable dishes, chicken kabobs, and more have been sublime. This is a place at which this reviewer could eat every day. Actually, he was during the first month of his new job. The tea ($1) served with optional milk or sugar is perfect -- creamy, perfectly seasoned, and sugary. A typical plate will run $6-9 or so. The bill at the end of a large meal is sometimes so low that this even this cheapskate reviewer feels bad. Without any doubt, 5/5 stars for quality, 5/5 stars for value. Al Aqsa is the kind of restaurant that makes NYC a great city.