Johnny Air Mart

Here’s a conversation I had with Stacy from Brooklyn:

“I’m actually heading to an Asian grocery store – have to get something for my roommate.”

“Oh cool, well I love Asian food. Which one?”

“Johnny Air Mart – it’s the only Filipino store in the city”

“You’re getting on a flight to Manilla?”

“Tsss they do air freight to PI and remittance, too.”

“Ok, so are you making some adobo, why walk two miles to get some Filipino groceries?”

“Man, you’re too nosy. Are you always like this?”

“Sometimes, feel free to slap me if I pry too much.”

“Well to answer your question. I’ve got a huge craving for Halo-halo.”

“Right on Sis,” after a long pause, trying to hold back my laughter. “Yeah, when we lived in the Philippines when I was little, I would scream and holler for the sweet taste of crushed ice mixed in evaporated milk. I would walk all over town for it back then, so I certainly would do that now.”

“So you’re a man of the world. My name is Stacy by the way.”

“Pleasure to meet you Stacy. I’m Chito and it means Amazing in Tagalog.”

Stacy gave a wide grin “Well it’s amazing to meet you.”

“Thank you, you have beautiful teeth by the way, must be from the sticky rice and coconut strips.”

“Well I must hurry up and get there. My roommate is waiting for her Halo-halo and her sweet tooth is getting quite impatient.”

“Well hope the two of you enjoy your Filipino desserts. Don’t eat too much so you can get a good night’s sleep.”

“Yes ain’t that right. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“That would be nice.” And with that I turned around and started walking towards Times Square. And the second she was out of sight, I let out a big Yelp

cold dessert which is a concoction of crushed ice, evaporated milk and various ingredients including, among others, ube, sweetened beans, coconut strips, sago, gulaman (seaweed gelatin), pinipig rice, boiled root crops in cubes, fruit slices, flan, and topped with a scoop of ice cream.