Bronx Spotlight: Çka Ka Qëllu

Çka Ka Qëllu in the Bronx, New York: A Taste of Albania and Kosovo

Çka Ka Qëllu (which translates roughly to “what we happen to have,” suggesting the welcoming, spontaneous nature of traditional Balkan hospitality) is a celebrated restaurant in the Bronx’s Belmont neighborhood, adjacent to the famous Arthur Avenue Retail Market. It offers a culinary journey into the rich, comforting flavors of traditional Albanian and Kosovan cuisine.

🌟 What Makes It Unique

Çka Ka Qëllu is distinctive not only for its authentic and hearty Balkan food but also for its cultural ambiance:

• Cultural Immersion: The restaurant doubles as a kind of museum. The interior is decorated with 18th and 19th-century Albanian artifacts and traditional regional garb, hand-collected by the owner, Ramiz Kukaj, on trips to Kosovo. The rustic decor, featuring wooden beams and stone walls, is designed to transport diners to a simpler, older time and showcase the rich heritage of the region.
• Authentic Cuisine: It is dedicated to showcasing traditional Albanian and Kosovan recipes, with a heavy focus on slow-cooked stews and grilled meats often prepared in clay vessels ($\text{tavë}$** dishes)**, and breads and pastries baked in an on-site oven.
• Location: Its prominent spot in the Belmont neighborhood, known for its strong Italian-American culinary tradition, highlights the growing and vibrant Albanian community in the Bronx, particularly in the area often referred to as “Little Albania.”

📜 History

The Bronx location of Çka Ka Qëllu was opened by Ramiz Kukaj in late 2017. Kukaj was reportedly inspired to open the restaurant when he realized there was no place to take his son and his friends for truly authentic Albanian cuisine in NYC. Since then, the restaurant has garnered significant acclaim, including being mentioned in the MICHELIN Guide and making the New York Times’ Top 100 Restaurants list, proving his mission to bring Albanian culture and cuisine to a wider audience was successful.

🍽️ Highlight Menu Items

The menu features a selection of popular and traditional dishes, with a focus on simple, fresh ingredients and rich, savory flavors.

🗣️ Customer Feedback

Customer feedback is generally highly positive, often highlighting:

• Authenticity: Diners praise the food as genuinely traditional and a great representation of Albanian home cooking.
• Portion Sizes: Meals are described as hearty, comforting, and generously portioned.
• Ambiance: The unique, rustic, and museum-like atmosphere is frequently mentioned as a key part of the dining experience.
• Recognition: Its inclusion on respected lists like the NYT Top 100 often serves as a strong endorsement for potential new visitors.

🥂 Significant Events

While specific historical dates for unique events are not widely published, the restaurant has gained significant cultural and culinary attention, which serves as its main historical significance:

• High-Profile Visits: The restaurant has hosted notable figures, including Albanian music stars like Dua Lipa and personalities like Action Bronson, which has helped raise its profile.
• Major Acclaim: Making it onto the New York Times’ Top 100 Restaurants list and receiving a MICHELIN Guide mention are the most significant events, establishing it as a must-visit destination for Balkan cuisine in New York City.

📍 Location and Contact Information