Taste the Island: 11 Foods You Don’t Want to Miss
By Leanne Pastore
Long Island restaurants can get pretty creative when it comes to their culinary creations. We put together this year’s list of foods you do not want to miss. Did we forget your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
BEC Stuffed Pretzels
Where: Twisted Fork Brunch Company, Bellmore
A bacon, egg, & cheese is a staple to many New Yorker diets, but Twisted Fork in Bellmore takes this classic to a new level. The eatery takes soft pretzels, slices and stuffs them with bits of crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, and gooey cheese. Served with a side of sriracha ketchup for those who like it hot, pretzels + BEC is an award-winning combination reimagining the most important meal of the day. Chef Perry Fogg said he created the concept years ago when he tried to invent a better way to enjoy a classic New York breakfast.
“And then it hit me, let’s combine two New York classics into one unforgettable bite. And thus the BEC stuffed pretzel was created,” he told LongIslandRestaurants.com.
Cheeto Bagel
Where: Bean’s Bagels & Gourmet Catering, St. James
You can’t go wrong with a bagel, but if you’re a culinary adventurer who likes it hot, Bean’s Bagels in St. James offers a unique sandwich experience. Best described as cheesy, crunchy, and utterly delicious, the bagel and catering shop’s Flamin’ Hot Cheeto “crazy bagel” is a masterpiece combination of tantalizing flavors sure to leave your taste buds tingling: fiery jalapeno smear, bacon, hash browns, and lettuce. You don’t want to miss this one.
Lobster Kiss Pasta
Where: Vincent’s Clam Bar, Carle Place
If you love seafood, there are so many fantastic restaurants to try on Long Island. But what makes Vincent’s Clam Bar in Carle Place a must is their “Lobster Kiss” pasta. Each order of linguine is enveloped in a decadent cream sauce and loaded with succulent, fresh lobster meat and scallops, then baked to perfection in foil to ensure each bite is infused with the dishes’ robust flavors while maintaining the meat’s tenderness. Every morsel is a true indulgence, earning its rightful place on the list of Long Island’s culinary treasures.
Oreo White Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Where: Maureen’s Kitchen, Smithtown
You’re guaranteed to have a great day if you start it with breakfast at Maureen’s Kitchen. At this charming, cow-themed restaurant, the pancakes are always cooked to fluffy, golden perfection. If you find yourself in a particularly indulgent morning mood, look no further than a stack of their decadent Oreo white chocolate chip pancakes.
Meltdown RiceBuns Burger
Where: Inatome’s HibachiBachi, Lynbrook
A juicy burger topped with melted American cheese might be one of my all-time favorite foods. But why settle for any ordinary cheeseburger when you could indulge in something extraordinary, like the “Melt Down” burger from Inatome’s HibachiBachi in Lynbrook? One key element sets this burger apart: the patty, cheese, onion, lettuce, and tomatoes are all sandwiched between two rice buns. The subtle sweetness of the rice buns has an almost airy texture, adding a unique flavor and will definitely leave a lasting impression on those who try it. And if burgers aren’t your thing, HibachiBachi also offers rice buns on fried chicken and katsu shrimp sandwiches, too.
Maryland Crab Cakes
Where: Harbor Crab Co., Patchogue
Embracing its prime on-the-water location, Harbor Crab offers the perfect ambiance to enjoy fresh seafood like my personal favorite, the Maryland Crab Cakes. Made with crab meat seasoned to perfection and topped with a remoulade sauce, these crab cakes have a perfect balance between their crunchy exterior and delicate, tender interior that will leave your mouth watering every time.
Pizza Crumb
Where: Hummel-Hummel Bakery, East Northport
Part pizza, part crumb cake, Hummel-Hummel Bakery in East Northport certainly got it right when they created their crumbly, crunchy pizza crumb. Each month, the bakery changes up the flavor, and April’s promises to be delicious – layered with lemon, vanilla icing, and, of course, their signature crumbs. There is truly nothing like it, and wherever you are on Long Island, it’s worth the trip next time you want to treat yourself.
Krave It FCW
Where: Krave It Pizza & Sandwich Joint, Huntington (additional locations in Bayside & Astoria)
Creativity knows no bounds at Krave It. Known for its innovative pizzas and sandwiches, the beloved eatery that originated in Queens opened its third location last summer, bringing its crazy-but-delicious concoctions to the Island. Among their menu lies a true gem: the “Krave It FCW,” a pie topped with fried chicken, homemade waffles, sharp cheddar, and sweet maple syrup.
Chicken Cutlet Bowl
Where: ITA Kitchen, Bay Shore/Patchogue/Garden City
Picture this: a giant, golden-brown chicken cutlet fried to crispy perfection. If your mouth isn’t watering yet, now add a bed of whatever pasta your heart desires on top. It’s a choose-your-own-pasta-adventure, really. Whether you’re craving fettuccine, penne, or macaroni and cheese, you truly can’t go wrong when you order a chicken cutlet bowl at ITA Kitchen.
Tres Leches French Toast
Where: The Pantry RVC, Rockville Centre
The thought of French toast alone – thick slices of brioche bread infused with vanilla and cinnamon – is enough to make most mouths water. But at The Pantry, that’s just the beginning. Made by breading thick brioche bread with Tres leches batter and then topped with a dulce de leche sauce and fresh blueberries and strawberries, every bite is delicious, making it a favorite that breakfast and brunch aficionados will definitely want to get their hands on and their forks in.
Cookie Croissant
Where: Buttercooky Bakery, Huntington/Floral Park/Manhasset
Buttercooky Bakery’s “Cookie Croissant” has taken the internet by storm: the delectable treat is the perfect marriage of the classic French pastry and a gooey chocolate chip cookie. Every bite is the perfect balance of the flakiness of a croissant and the bursts of sweet chocolate of a cookie. This unique pastry is simply irresistible and deserves every bit of acclaim.
Leanne Pastore is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
