Long Island , NY

On my first day in the US Navy, at the ripe old age of 17, I was standing in line for "chow". A great big guy stepped out of the kitchen and hollered "anyone here from Long Island?" And now 60 years later I am asking the same question. I find very little about places to eat on Looooooong Island although no one looks under-nourished and deprived. From Brooklyn and Queens all the way to Montauk Point there has to be someplace other than the Currasqueira Baierada, which was recommended by Steve Rushmore and which was great. Any others???????

I, too, escaped Long Island late in my youth. I now get to go back periodically for work, and get to stay long enough to get my food fix before I need to head back home.

The places to eat on Long Island sometimes fall more into categories than actual names of restaurants. For instance, I think that one of Long Island's greatest food contributions is the delicatessen. This is not delicatessen like Katz's or Carnegie in NYC, but rather something you would find in most any strip mall. Many are of similar good quality, but you will find favorites based on what you like to eat, and what any given deli's specials might be. The key is to sample a few. Why delis? Well, most every one serves Boar's Head meats. Here in Florida, you are most likely to find BH only in Publix. Long Island -- virtually anywhere. Also, the deli is also the morning pit stop. Most places will serve a breakfast special consisting of a couple of eggs (your way) on a hard roll with/without bacon, cheese, etc., plus OJ, coffee, and potatoes for about three bucks. I usually don't know delis by name -- I just know which locations I like best -- other than that, they can often all look the same.

I also feel the same way about diners. You are more likely to find a good diner, with a notable special than you would be to find a bad diner with nothing of note. Diners are also an excellent source for the sit-down breakfast.

Along the same lines, if you are a fan of Italian, and particularly, thin-crust pizza, you will also find jewels in most any strip mall up and down the Island. I was in town with some colleagues who wanted to go out for Italian -- and their idea was Macaroni Grill. I shuddered. I told them we could go to a place that would be much better, and we could walk from the hotel. Sure enough, I had never even been to the place, but they all agreed it was the best Italian they'd ever had. I have frequented the place often, ever since -- Conca D'Oro's on Commack Rd -- just off the expressway (Exit 52, I think, heading east).

Another of my favorites on Long Island is a somewhat underrepresented group here on Roadfood.com -- chinese. There is a place named Hoi Ming on Montauk Highway in West Sayville (just over the Oakdale border -- kind of across from St. John's University). It is a stand-alone restaurant, which has been at the same location, under the same ownership for about 25 years now -- quite long for this genre. You will often find a wait for dinner -- most definitely on the weekends. Arguably the best egg roll I have ever eaten. The last time I was there, I ordered a half dozen to fly home with me. Also, if you are a more adventuresome eater, do yourself a favor and order the beef and broccoli somewhere else, and get something a little more exotic here. Their spicy stuff packs a little bit of a punch, if you like such.

Lastly, if you like brew pubs, you will find a hidden gem out in Patchogue, on Main Street -- not far from where the old Sweezey's used to be. Brickhouse Brewery makes a fine pint of beer, and the food is quite tasty, too. I think they might have live music on Friday nights, too. They usually offer a price fix menu for around $15-18 that includes app, entree, and desert. Not too unreasonable.

Hope this helps some. I am sure I will think of some more -- I am just bad with names -- I just know where to go!

Steve

Hey thanks a lot youse guys !!!!!!!!!

Let's see I have had dinner on the Freeport docks and it was great just like you said, I have also traveled out to the Elbow Room many times. It used to be the place "us guys" would go to, away from the wives for an evening. While they were at a baby shower or something. Pack the old station wagon with six guys and head for Jamesport. Pies, and cauliflower and cabbage and corn and scallops on the northfork, bring a car full home. A bushel of apples would last for weeks. Loved the fall with tomatoes,corn,new potatoes and bluefish. Freshly picked peachs that had so much juice you needed a bib. Also have been to Conca D'Oro's a few years ago, was attending a seminar at the Hampton Inn next door. And the deli's are fantastic, you are 100% right. There is a little place in the village of Huntington named Jim's Dairyland, been there forever, they make a hero that is better than most places in the world. They start making them about 11 am and rap them up ready for the construction guys and everyone else who start to come in about 1130 and grab them. Umberto's Pizza in New Hyde Park is the best. I have driven past Zorn's on Hempstead Turnpike a thousand times but never have gone in, and the Chinese restaurant in West Sayville will be on the docket next time I visit my daughter out that way, we both love egg rolls. There was a place on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington where I would stop and sit at their bar where the bartender made a great vodka martini. Order 2 egg rolls and lots of mustard and enjoy a "low fat dinner". Went by there a few weeks ago with a gleam in my eye only to find it has been replaced by CVS and a lot of black top parking space. Is nothing sacred???????? And we call this progress.

I have to agree with ballpark roadtripper on all his selections. I too am a Long Islander and grew up near jones beach. While there are few "Roadfood" places to eat on long island, the thing I think Long Island is known for is Diners. I have found some good diners and some bad ones. One of the best is 110 Liberty diner on route 110 in farmingdale. As for kosher delis Deli King on Union turnpike in New Hyde Park. The best luncheonette is Laurel Luncheonette in Long beach and while your there stop by Marvel Ice Cream, the best soft serve. The best fast food definetly has to be All-American Burgers in Massapequa on Merrick road. It hasn't changed much since my parents ate there growing up. The prices are still cheap and the fries are the best, though i don't think they use fresh ones anymore but the way they fry them up is delicious!

There used to be a great clam bar on Lido Blvd/ Long Beach Rd. between Oceanside and Island Park. Can't remember the name of it but we'd always stop on the way home from Point Lookout for the freshest clams on the half shell I can remember.

That's it Pete's. Yes the Town of Hempstead incinerator was right there. Never bothered me!

I have never ate at Pete's it's too close to the dump for me, but I have eaten at Jordan Lobster Farm in Island Park. They make the best lobster rolls in nassau county. The prices are decent too.

The Jordan's were my neighbor's growing up in RVC ! They had some great clambakes !

I grew up on LI, escaped in the mid-70's after college, and haven't been back since my family moved in the mid-90's. But if anything gets me back there it will be finding out if Mike's Pizza is still in downtown Amityville, and still turning out the best "plain" cheese pizza imaginable.

Let's see----Mike's Pizza in Amityville
Jordan's Lobster Farm ---Island park
I wonder if Pete's is still there or did he dumps dump him
All-American Burgers in Massapequa
All of the North Fork
All the deli's
OK have to add them to my list. I will start eating my way around LI as soon as I am finished with Grampy's 100 best Italian Restaurants in the city.

When I lived on the north shore of Long Island in the late 80's, a lack of things to do often would send us on a drive. My choice of locations was to hed out the North Fork past Greenpoint (East Marion??) to the Hellenic Snack Bar - great souvlaki and fresh-squeezed lemonade on their outside patio. I haven't been there in years; I hope it's still there.

kframbo----I have been there a few times and it is just as you said. Great Greek food. The NY Times said it is one of the 10 best bargains on LI. Zarat lists it also. I love the North Fork. One of my regreats in life was not buying property out there when it was cheap. It shoe ain't any mo' !!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best news about Long Island deli in recent years is the reemergence of PAstrami King on Merrick Road in Merrick. The original Queens location closed several years ago much to the chagrin of us Queens courthouse regulars. The new Pastrami King is quite good (much better pastrami than available at the various Ben's deli locations) though not quite as good as the original but awfully darn close. Its my favorite stop for takealong food before heading out to Shea for a Mets game.

FYI Not only is Pete's Clam Bar still there but it has enlarged, although they still have that bar in the front, stools and all. On the other hand, THE DUMP is closed--capped off years ago.

Many good replies already...I'll add a couple of my favorites...

Maureen's Kitchen in Smithtown has great breakfast.

Glenn's Dinette in Babylon also good breakfast, as are most diners. I am also a fan of the deli egg breakfast, although I like mine at a place that uses Boar's Head sausage...sausage, egg, cheese on roll...yummy.

Flo's Luncheonette in Blue Point is a unique roadside stand that has been there a long time and has good "toasted sandwiches".

All-American Burger in Massapequa is a throw back to another time and has darn good burgers. Like their shakes as well and fries are fresh cut.

The pies at some of the farm stands others recommended have gotten average in recent years. They almost seem mass produced rather than the good fresh baked fare of old.

Sweet Magnolia's in Sayville...actually east of Sayville has a great Burger...one of the best on LI.

There are a lot of good diners, but also a lot of real average ones. You have to ask folks where you are which one is best. Don't give them all equal billing!

Smokin Al's in Bayshore is a relatively new and pretty decent BBQ place (please weigh this comment with the fact we are talking Long Island here...great by LI standards...average by others)

In Queens one of my favorites is Pearson's BBQ...this is BBQ that is good for anywhere! IT is a weird place, in the back of a bar...but it is some fine eating!

El Sitio, in Woodside Queens makes a great Cuban Sandwich. I always stop and pick up a few when I am heading to Shea to catch the Mets.

The Modern Snack Bar is a neat old place on 25 in Aquebogue (spelling??)... it sometimes draws a lot of elderly diners and has a ben-gay type odor...which is not too appetizing.

Oaxaca in Huntington was always a favorite, but after not having been there for a while, it was not as I remembered...haven't been back in a while.

Pizza is another thing that depends on who you ask. Almost everyone will tell you "there's a place right near where I live/work that is great"...so you have to ask around. When I leave LI for extended periods, I miss the pizza more than anything (sorry wife and kids...just kiddin')

Hellenic Snack Bar, which may be in Orient or East Marion...way out East...has been mentioned and is quite good, but there are other good places in Huntington and Sayville whose names escape me, but most likely involve the word "Aegean".

Snowflake Ice Cream in riverhead is real good and always has some interesting flavors. If you can't get there stand on a corner in a neighborhood where Mr. Softee rolls by. You can't miss his music and he makes a fine shake!

I hope you enjoy your visit...and don't leave hungry!

Happy Saturday morning----

Stewdude----my main squeeze loves pastrami, so I owe you one.

Susan---thanks for the info on Pete's, she loves clams too. Do they go with pastrami?

Mr Ballpark----Lex and 86th, right after the Guggenheim. See ya there.

Tony -- your not Bad your Great.
Nice list. Is the great Greek place in Huntington "The Mediterranean Snack Bar"-----you can't miss it with the line outside wrapping around the corner. Fantastic Bluefish dinners, so fresh they are still wiggeling.

I think you may be right about the place in Huntington. I used to get there a lot more before my kids came along. For a while dining out was often more trouble than it was worth. Now they are 3 and 4, so we are starting to go back to my favorites of yore.

The kids love pizza, like the grilled cheese and fries at All American Burger, but love Mister Softee most of all.

You're bringing back a lot of memories. Here were my favorites:

Marinated Porterhouse Steak-Cliff's Elbow Room/Elbow Room II/Rendevous-the first 2 are in Jamesport(?)on the North Fork and the Rendevous is in Riverhead. I believe they have the same owner. Elbow Room is a very small place so plan on eating early to avoid the crowds.

Marinated Skirt Steak-Frank's Steak House, Westbury. Try the creamed spinach, too.

Hamburgers-All American Burger, Massapequa. Reasonably priced.

Italian Dine In/Take Out-La Piazza, Plainview. Reasonably priced. Try the caesar salad.
I also recommend Sal's Wander Inn, Baldwin (South). They are famous for their garlic bread (which is why I go). The food is very reasonably priced.
Ubaldo's, Main St., Farmingdale-a bit pricey but its worth it. Great place to relax and enjoy a meal.

Pizza-Gino's, Main St., Farmingdale.

Steak Tips & Onion Soup-Potter's Pub, East Meadow.

Seafood-Nautical Mile in Freeport.

ENJOY!

Can't forget my old standbys. Violetta's Pizzeria in Merrick, the East Bay Diner in Bellmore, Eng's Kitchen in Bellmore (the best eggrolls I ever tasted) and the now defunct Wolfie's of Merrick where I worked as a dishwasher as a senior in High School back in 1982 and had the opportunity to wash Brian Setzer's (of the stray cats) dish. (he had the corned beef sandwich)

quote:

Originally posted by Ballpark Roadtripper

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

and the now defunct Wolfie's of Merrick where I worked as a dishwasher as a senior in High School back in 1982 and had the opportunity to wash Brian Setzer's (of the stray cats) dish. (he had the corned beef sandwich)

Funny, but everyone around our age that lived on the south shore in the early 80's has Brian Setzer stories. Mine:

-I stopped scrubbing pots fora minute to come out the the counter to say hi to him when he stopped into the Levittown Park Bake Shop.

-He pulled up to the Mid Island Plaza mall in his pink Caddy convertable and just sat there hanging out with fans.

-Of course, I saw all 3 Stray Cats at All-American Burger a dozen times.

- The Stray Cats first big concert ever, opening for Squeeze (supposedly their final show ever. I saw them a dozen more times in the next decade. Final?)at the Coluseum, Thanksgiving 1982. Best crowd support of any opening act I've ever seen. They were all LOADED, but having a ball. I think Setzer even fell off the stage at one point.

That's funny. The last time I went to Peter Luger's steakhouse a couple of months ago, I sat a couple of tables from...Brian Setzer. The man apparently likes his food!

Thanks Rick----I have been devouring steaks at the Elbow Room since the 60's --- the original one in Eastport. Elbow Room was the right name. The tables were so close the other guys elbow was right in your face. There were a bunch of letters from the food magazines posted in the lobby asking for the marinade recipe. They were all turned down.

I like Frank's also. But the other's are new and now on my "check it out list".

The three next posts from WJ/Ballpark & Spudnut refer to a guy named Setzer------never heard of him. Stray Cats ---never heard of them either. But I'll bet you guys never heard of Linck's Log Cabin in Centerport. The best family restaurant on LI for years. After midnight on Saturday night you got 2 lobsters, 2 Martini's and or 2 Manhattans for the price of one, the line was a 1/2 mile long and there were people from as far away as Brooklyn standing outside. Great place from prohibition times until a disasterous fire in the 70's.

I remember Brian Setzer...saw him in the early days at Heckle and Jeckels in Massapequa. I also remmber Linck's Log Cabin. My Grandparents took me there a couple of times. I thought it was SO cool to be at a big table with complete strangers. Another favorite of theirs was Bronco Charlies in Oakdale...also long gone, but I read somewhere there was a move to save the old log cabin portion of the place. Here is some info on the old place http://www.friendsofbroncocharlie.org/

Here are four great places on Long Island that are perfect roadfood.

Walter Itgen's Ice Cream Shoppe in Valley Stream (see my review on Roadfood)

Bigelow's Seafood- a great little seafood shop in Rockville Center. It's been there forever and serves the best fried fat clam belly's and chowder outside of New England.

Taby's Diner in the town of Oyster Bay for the best and biggest burgers on the Island.

MaryBill Diner at the Merrick LIRR train station. Open only during the day for great breakasts and perfect roasted turkey.

enjoy...

Hey "youse guys" surprised me knowing all about Linck's-----you must be older than I thought. Lincks started as a speakeasy during prohibition. Booze from Canada was smuggled in the back door which was on an inlet of Long Island Sound. Cheap food was the cover-up. During the 50s and 60s it was the best family joint on LI, and the big bar was 2 deep from lunch til closing. Your butt wasn't in your chair before a waitress brought a ice lined dish of celery, olives,scallions and radishs. Then she was back in a flash with home made buscuits and the sliced cucumbers Ballpark wrote about, along with your drink order. Double Martinis and Manhattans were served in a metal shaker and a cold cocktail glass. The lobster bisque and N.E. clam chower were great and they were served in big coffee cups whose handles had been broken off. Food and drink were the order of the day, ampience was way down on the list. My bookeeper worked there as a waitress on Fri and Sat night to suppliment the meager wages I paid her-----she made a bundle. Steaks, chops, lobster and catch of the day were all on the menu and a group of 4 could get away for $25.

When it burned my grandfather was despondent. It was like he lost an old friend...which, I guess he did. Thanks for posting about it, as it stirred some very nice memories.

A hearty second to Bigelow's in Rockville Center, just off Sunrise Highway, for awesome Ipswich clams w/perfect fries, crispy cole slaw and homemade lemon pie. Clams are seasonal, though.

Also, a must is the Woodru Deli (I may not have the name spelled right) in the Peninsula Shopping Mall in Hewlett. The equal to any, especially the hot dogs and pastrami. Almost next door is the incredible Penn-Mill Bakery , a wonderland of carbohydrates.

Alas, many of my favorites are now gone, esp. the Hamburger Express in Hewlett (burgers delivered via plates atop toy trains), and Shor's, also in Hewlett, a sort of Nathan's competitor offering almost the entire Coney Island line-up.

Long Island is peppered with tremendous RoadFood offerings. If I hadn't moved to the food desert that is Michigan, I'd weigh 300 pounds by now.

- Rusty

A hearty second to Bigelow's in Rockville Center, just off Sunrise Highway, for awesome Ipswich clams w/perfect fries, crispy cole slaw and homemade lemon pie. Clams are seasonal, though.

Also, a must is the Woodru Deli (I may not have the name spelled right) in the Peninsula Shopping Mall in Hewlett. The equal to any, especially the hot dogs and pastrami. Almost next door is the incredible Penn-Mill Bakery , a wonderland of carbohydrates.

Alas, many of my favorites are now gone, esp. the Hamburger Express in Hewlett (burgers delivered via plates atop toy trains), and Shor's, also in Hewlett, a sort of Nathan's competitor offering almost the entire Coney Island line-up.

Long Island is peppered with tremendous RoadFood offerings. If I hadn't moved to the food desert that is Michigan, I'd weigh 300 pounds by now.

- Rusty

A hearty second to Bigelow's in Rockville Center, just off Sunrise Highway, for awesome Ipswich clams w/perfect fries, crispy cole slaw and homemade lemon pie. Clams are seasonal, though.

Also, a must is the Woodru Deli (I may not have the name spelled right) in the Peninsula Shopping Mall in Hewlett. The equal to any, especially the hot dogs and pastrami. Almost next door is the incredible Penn-Mill Bakery , a wonderland of carbohydrates.

Alas, many of my favorites are now gone, esp. the Hamburger Express in Hewlett (burgers delivered via plates atop toy trains), and Shor's, also in Hewlett, a sort of Nathan's competitor offering almost the entire Coney Island line-up.

Long Island is peppered with tremendous RoadFood offerings. If I hadn't moved to the food desert that is Michigan, I'd weigh 300 pounds by now.

- Rusty

Well you have got me thinking now------there were lots of great restaurants on LI that have disappeared with "progress". Not roadfood but places for dates and special occasions.

-Patricia Murphy's in Manhasset----loved their popovers.
-Gil Clarks in Bay Shore--come by car or boat-----great lobster
-Karl's Mariners Inn, right on the water in Northport--they might still
be there
-The Sunrise Village--Great German food and entertainment--John Wile (?)
was great
-Geide's in Centerport (opposite Linck's) wonderful duck
-The San Souci in Bethpage, next to Grummans --- for gourmets
-Guy Lombardo's in Freeport---orchestra leader/speedboat
racer/restauranteur
-Trying to remember the place in Westbury on Jericho Turnpike at Guinea
Woods Road----I think it was owned by Howard Johnson---great drinks and
prime ribs and popovers
-Speaking of Howard Johnson. We drove from Ronkonkoma to Valley Stream
in someone's old clunker---about 6 guys---just because they had 54
flavors of ice cream. It must have taken an hour each way. And then
one of my buddies ordered vanilla. He has never lived it down.
-There was a place on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington called Leo Girards-
"All the chicken you can eat $2.00"--18 of us guys (big 19-20 year old
football players) stopped there one Sunday evening after playing
Huntington to a 6-6 tie. Eighteen 200 pound starving guys ate all the
chicken in the place. Leo had to close down for the night.

There were more--you gentlemen might think of some I have skipped. Long Island was a great place to live ---- oh yea, how about the Milleridge Inn in Jericho---still going strong after about 100 years or so.

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner
-Trying to remember the place in Westbury on Jericho Turnpike at Guinea
Woods Road----I think it was owned by Howard Johnson---great drinks and
prime ribs and popovers

I think you're speaking of Carl Hopple's, it's a caterer now and we do not call that road by that name any more, it's Glen Cove Road. It seems some ethnic broup objected.

Great places near Centerport that have gone away, how about Al Dowd's steak house? Linc's was a great place; it seems the kids took over and killed it. Near there is 'The Shack', very popular road place but I havn't liked anything I've gotten there except the bottled beer.

Anyone from the south shore want to comment on Raynor's, it been there forever.

We need more 'Official' reviews of LI places. We're from Suffolk and now love Currasqueira Baierada because of this site.

I'll add my 2-cents. There's a place in Queens (Still on LI) in Middle Village. It's a blue hot dog truck on Woodhaven Blvd called Dominic's. It's been there since 1959. I always stop for '2 with everything'.

kozel ---- nope it was not Carl Hopple's which was on Sunrise Hgy in Baldwin, and I forgot about Glen Cove Road being the new name--all those hens of that name need alias' I guess. Al Dowd's was a good steak house, ate there many times. Great garlic bread and Manhattans. I think Dowd was related (son-in-law) or something to Manero's Steak House. I used to stop at The Shack back in the 50's and 60's -- they had good hot dogs and burgers then. Raynor's is good chicken, man. They tried to expand to Centerport. Moved in right next to Al Dowd's old place, but had to give it up. McCarthys ( may be wrong Irish name ) Steak House in Rockville Center area was good too. In Amityville there was Barnicle Bill's which had great fish chowder, also a great Italian Restaurant named Americo's or something.

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

kozel ---- nope it was not Carl Hopple's which was on Sunrise Hgy in Baldwin

The place I'm thinking of is on the southside of Jericho east of Guniea Woods Rd and set back off the road. That was Carl Hopple's when I ate there over 30 years ago and it had a great bar, prime rib and popovers. Now it is Westbury Manor and part of the Scotto Bros emipre. I attended a wedding there about 5 years ago and it brought back memories. Here is a link and note they refer to it as Guniea Woods Rd. That sign for exit 39 on the LIE has long been changed.

http://www.scottobrothers.com/westbury.cfm?fuseaction=directions

The place in Centerport where Raynor's was is now the Centerport post office. I've been there too, but their place on Sunrise is a Long Island classic; but I've never been there. I'd hoped a parton of that place would comment.

Mariner's Inn in Nortport gone for over 20 years. Sorry.

As long as you are touting Milleridge Inn, how about the Maine Maid Inn that is nearby and their building is said to be even older?

BTW, who are you calling 'Not Under-Nourished'? Guess you're not local any more?

I remember that place on Jericho Tpk in Woodbury. It was in a Quality Inn. It's been so many restaurants. For a few years it was a Scandanavian smorgasbord. Then it was this higher echelon Chinese restaurant. I don' know what it is now.

quote:

Originally posted by susanhopebell

I remember that place on Jericho Tpk in Woodbury. It was in a Quality Inn. It's been so many restaurants. For a few years it was a Scandanavian smorgasbord. Then it was this higher echelon Chinese restaurant. I don' know what it is now.

I know the place you are talking about. This is not Woodbury (LIE exit 44) but Westbury (LIE exit 39), about 10 miles west. I'm starting to sound like and New Jersey person, by refering to exit numbers. If you're from the Woodbury area, have you been to that BBQ stand just east (I think) of that Quality Inn on the south side of Jericho?

Kozel and Susanhopebell-------you are both close, but no cigar. Way back when the Northern State Parkway came to an end at Glen Cove Rd.
(would you believe that) you were dumped onto Jericho Turnpike. A few inchs east of that intersection was a great (in my mind) restaurant. There was a gas station at the intersection and next came the place I am talking about. The last time I was out there I think it was a mexican restaurant.

There might have been a "Red" in the name. Red Roof, Red Coach-----
something like that. A little further east is the Westbury Manor, which I have had the pleasure of visiting a few times. Further east in Jericho is indeed the Maine Maid Inn----a great restaurant, thanks for reminding me, and then still a little further east in Woodbury is the place you mentioned Susan. I think the original was named Jorgenson's and was a great smorgsborg place. Unfortunately everyone ate a few pounds of peel your own shrimp and left the pickled beets and pickled herring behind. That put poor old Jorgenson into bankrupcy. But right behind that Quality Inn is the best farm stand on Long Island---Meyer's. Try it, you'll like it. They still grow their own corn and stuff.

If you continued toward Huntington on Jericho you came to Syosset. On the northeast corner was "Lollipop Farm" a place to take the kids to touch and pet farm animals and 100 yards east of that was The Viennese Coach, a great, wonderfully run place for Austrian food. Very
hi-class.

Talking about places to take the kids how about the fish hatchery on 25A?
and I'll bet Jones Beach is crowded with them today.

Here is your place. The place is now called Papa Razzi.
[img]c:\paparazi.jpg[/img]
I've never eaten here and I don't what this place has been over the years. The place I thought you were referring to that I knew as Carl Hopples is 1/10th of a mile east on the same side. BTW, that gas station is now a Starbucks.

As long as we're discussing old places that don't exist any more and this is 'Roadfood'; and you bring up the fish hatchery on 25A. West of the fish hatchery on 25A in Syosset at the top of the hill just before you desend to Cold Spring Harbor there was a real 'Roadfood' place on the south side of 25A. I knew it as Wildwood rest. It's been gone about 20 years and that whole property was removed with the redesign of that intersection. And east of the fish hatchery in Cold Spring Harbor was the Moorings, a seafood place that was destroyed by fire weel over 20 year ago. Either of these ring a bell?

Anyway, let's get some Long Island places that deserve to be listed here, listed here.

[quote
As long as we're discussing old places that don't exist any more and this is 'Roadfood'; and you bring up the fish hatchery on 25A. West of the fish hatchery on 25A in Syosset at the top of the hill just before you descend to Cold Spring Harbor there was a real 'Roadfood' place on the south side of 25A. I knew it as Wildwood rest. It's been gone about 20 years and that whole property was removed with the redesign of that intersection. And east of the fish hatchery in Cold Spring Harbor was the Moorings, a seafood place that was destroyed by fire weel over 20 year ago. Either of these ring a bell?

Anyway, let's get some Long Island places that deserve to be listed here, listed here.




In what must have been one of its last incarnations before being closed for "progress", the place at the top of the hill had great beefalo burgers. They were oval and served on a long roll with fried onions. I am not sure, but I remember friends referring to it as Dowd's Beefalo...not sure if that was their name or the actual name. It was a neat place, with a giant stone fireplace and cold beer on tap. I had many pleasant evenings there.

Another place that may have been mentioned earlier, but I liked, was McCluskey's in Bellmore. I usually just ate the burgers there, which were quite good.

As long as we are on 25A on the famous Gold Coast of LI----the Wildwood served buffalo meat as well as regular beef----take your pick. Both were great. Buffalo meat drew the Harley-Davidson crowd.
A little west of there in East Norwich was Rothmann's Steak House. Big Place with great big booths. Wonderful place. It was bought by a guy named Bert Bacharach, made his money writing songs I have been told, and because I had done work for his accountant, who lived near by, I was invited to the grand opening--------and I met a little doll with great, great legs named Angie Dickenson. She was a sweetheart.
Going back to the Moorings in Cold Spring Harbor----right next to it was and may still be a little open clam shack. Pull your car up, jump out and before you were at the bar they had half a dozen little necks or cherrystones (ice cold, of course) open and waiting for you. And still further east was the Golden Dolphin Diner and Mundays in Huntington Village
both still there.
I don't live on LI anymore but my kids do I will ask them for some current recommendations.

Kozel---in talking with #3 son last night he said they only know the more expensive places on LI because they don't travel around like we might have when we were younger. Dinner is almost always at home and there are so many places the kids want to go to --like McDonald's that there are few places like the one's we knew. He mentioned some good steak houses and other more expensive places ---

Pace--- at the intersection of Vet's Highway and Smithtown By-pass
Bryant and Cooper---- in Greenvale/Roslyn on 25A
Jonathans and Picolos in Huntington Village
H2O-----fish place in Smithtown
Ruoffs----best German place on the island, also in Smithtown

I will talk to #1 son and see what he has to say. Bon Appetit.

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Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Kozel---in talking with #3 son last night he said they only know the more expensive places on LI because they don't travel around like we might have when we were younger. Dinner is almost always at home and there are so many places the kids want to go to --like McDonald's that there are few places like the one's we knew.

Your son needs to pass along the wisdom of eating you no doubt passed to him. My kids are small, but they like the off-beat places both near home and on the road. On a recent trip to Maine my 4 year old daughter waited 45 minutes with me for a hot dog at Flo's. I kept asking her if she minded waiting, but she said she was having fun. If I gave my kids a McNugget or McHockeyPuck burger they wouldn't eat it. There are plenty of fun, inexpensive places to eat on LI...like anywhere else, they require a little work to find.

quote:

On a recent trip to Maine my 4 year old daughter waited 45 minutes with me for a hot dog at Flo's. I kept asking her if she minded waiting, but she said she was having fun. If I gave my kids a McNugget or McHockeyPuck burger they wouldn't eat it. There are plenty of fun, inexpensive places to eat on LI...like anywhere else, they require a little work to find.

You've got quite a daughter there, a real treasure. Most parents feed their kids that McCrap because they won't be disappointed. They know what they are going to get; so they won't be surprised either. I know a guy who took the whole family to Hawaii and the kids (teens and older) ate McCrap. Really sad.

I'm old enough that when I was a kid, there were no chains. On vacation my parents always sought out the 'local' places as long as dad could get a beer. My son has aquired my appreciation for food. I remember having him and 2 of his friends in Boy Scout uniforms sitting at the bar in Durgin Park having lunch. My son and I each had a dozen oysters and the other two had shrimp.

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Originally posted by kozel
You've got quite a daughter there, a real treasure. Most parents feed their kids that McCrap because they won't be disappointed. They know what they are going to get; so they won't be surprised either. I know a guy who took the whole family to Hawaii and the kids (teens and older) ate McCrap. Really sad.

I'm old enough that when I was a kid, there were no chains. On vacation my parents always sought out the 'local' places as long as dad could get a beer. My son has aquired my appreciation for food. I remember having him and 2 of his friends in Boy Scout uniforms sitting at the bar in Durgin Park having lunch. My son and I each had a dozen oysters and the other two had shrimp.

We avoided fast food places because when I was really young, there was a place called Wetson's here in the NY area. We went there and as my Dad unwrapped his burger, found there was already a bite out of it! That was it for fast food! I understand what you say about knowing what you are getting, and have stopped at fast food places for that very reason when pressed for time. My kids do like the grilled chicken whopper at Burger King, although they won't eat the bun, just the chicken, tomato and lettuce. You paint quite a picture of your group at Durgin Park. That would have brought a big smile to my face if I saw it in person!

As long as we are on the subject of kids in restaurants, fast food or otherwise, do any of you allow your kids to sit at a table and eat with a baseball cap on. I was in a real nice restaurant 2 weeks ago where a young couple sat next to us---she looked nice and sweet and clean. He had a baseball cap on during the whole meal---it annoyed me, but she didn't seem to care, so it was none of my business----no social graces in the young men of today...........

My grandkids eat 99% of their meals at home but when they go out they want MacDonald's or whatever is popular.

It's not just the patrons. What really bothers me is when the wait staff start to clear plates before everyone is finished. I can not excuse such behavior in an upscale place, one that should know better. They did that to us in a Morton's in Indianapolis and my son (who was the one still eating) let them know it was rude.

I'm new and haven't figured out how to do the quotes so here goes:

The place that is now Papa-razzis was an El Torito Mexican place for a few years. I don't remember what it was before that. It's been Papa-Razzi's for at least 9 or 10 years, though.

Ancient Mariner- I think the place you're talking about for Chinese food on Jericho Tpke was Mandarin Gourmet- they relocated into Huntington Village and are at 269 New York Avenue in Huntington. I think they just got an offer for that property that they could not refuse.

In Williston Park, there are anumber of great places, not to be missed.

One is Hildebrandt's, a great old ice cream parlor/luncheonette that has been in the same location since the 1920s.THey are on HIllside Avenue, just east of Willis Avenue. They have great homemade ice cream and soda fountain stuff, but also have interesting food- great Italian, some nice salads, and more than just grilled cheese and tuna sandwiches. They also have great thin cut fries that are like potato chips- nice people too.

For Chinese food we go to Paradise Island-on Hillside Avenue - they are truly the nicest people in the world. We've been going there for almost 18 years- they alsways throw in a gratis appetizer. The food is good and inexpensive and after a few times there, you'll feel disloyal and guilty eating anywhere else.

La Parma is great too. They also have a location in Huntington- huge groaning platters of yummy Italian food served family style. They are on Wilis Avenue

There are just some foods you can't get out here an there is an overabundance of Italian and diner type food but if you look you can find some good places.

I used to sneak into Hildebrandt's when no one was looking, loved their ice cream and the atmosphere. Have to give Paradise a try---I have had my eye on Paradise for many years now, ever since I turned 65. LaPalma is a great place for an Eye-tral-yon (as my uncle would say) feast. The building where they are located was one of my favorite's. The Lamplight---good food and drinks and a local Huntington favorite piano player on weekends. Nice place for special occasions. Manga !!!!!

I was recently distressed to discover that Chaophaya Thai Restaurant in Lindenhurst closed. It was one of my favorite restaurants. I loved the peanut-dressing they put on their salads, loved their soup, and just rotated through the menu--I hated to miss things. They made this *wonderful* "Incendiary Chicken*, which was a whole Cornish game hen on a vertical skewer with vegetables in a chile sauce around it. This was one of those places where you'd use a spoon to eat the sauce that was left.

Other places:
Classic American (North Babylon?); very good fish and chips.

Cooke's In (Huntington): Comfort/Soul/Caribbean food. Nice buffet on Wednesdays.

Sweet & Spicy Carribean (Amityville): Jamaican; curried goat, jerk chicken, cod & ackee, cowfoot, oxtail, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Scott_R

I was recently distressed to discover that Chaophaya Thai Restaurant in Lindenhurst closed. It was one of my favorite restaurants. I loved the peanut-dressing they put on their salads, loved their soup, and just rotated through the menu--I hated to miss things. They made this *wonderful* "Incendiary Chicken*, which was a whole Cornish game hen on a vertical skewer with vegetables in a chile sauce around it. This was one of those places where you'd use a spoon to eat the sauce that was left.

Other places:
Classic American (North Babylon?); very good fish and chips.

Cooke's In (Huntington): Comfort/Soul/Caribbean food. Nice buffet on Wednesdays.

Sweet & Spicy Carribean (Amityville): Jamaican; curried goat, jerk chicken, cod & ackee, cowfoot, oxtail, etc.

Say it isn;t so! I love Chaophaya Thai- The owners are the nicest people ! Oh man, the kids are gonna be bummed- they love Noi- she always came out and talked to them. They ahad great duck and a griled beef salad with a really tasty dressing. What a drag- I'll miss thae palce and the people there. When did it close??????????

I don't exactly know when Chaophaya closed; I went by at the beginning of November, and it was empty.

While I have no idea what the name of the place was, I vividly remember going with my aunt & uncle (they lived on Crest Road in Merrick) to a fantastic German restaurant that was right on a lake (Lake Ronkonkoma??). I had my first taste of Sauerbraten (with potato pancakes and red cabbage, of course) at the age of 10 or so, and I was hooked!

Does anyone remember this place? Since it has been more than 40 years since I was there, I wouldn't be surprised if it was gone. But, if it's still there, I would love to go back for a sentimental journey.

Sure, that would be Bavarian Inn.
http://www.bavarianinnofli.com/

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Originally posted by the ancient marinerWay back when the Northern State Parkway came to an end at Glen Cove Rd. (would you believe that) you were dumped onto Jericho Turnpike. A few inchs east of that intersection was a great (in my mind) restaurant. There was a gas station at the intersection and next came the place I am talking about. The last time I was out there I think it was a mexican restaurant. There might have been a "Red" in the name. Red Roof, Red Coach----- something like that. A little further east is the Westbury Manor, which I have had the pleasure of visiting a few times.

I believe that might have been the Red Coach Grill(e)? A little further east was Carl Hoppl's (spelling is correct). Might have been Carl Hoppl's Westbury Manor, or it just became Westbury Manor later…

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Originally posted by Tony Bad


The pies at some of the farm stands others recommended have gotten average in recent years. They almost seem mass produced rather than the good fresh baked fare of old.

The Modern Snack Bar is a neat old place on 25 in Aquebogue (spelling??)... it sometimes draws a lot of elderly diners and has a ben-gay type odor...which is not too appetizing.

Pizza is another thing that depends on who you ask. Almost everyone will tell you "there's a place right near where I live/work that is great"...so you have to ask around. When I leave LI for extended periods, I miss the pizza more than anything (sorry wife and kids...just kiddin')

I heard that from someone who says they know, that Briermere does buy their pies now. They do a huge business around the holidays…

Wonder if that BenGay odor is when they re-open in the spring after being closed all winter? Spelling is correct. The food is very good, though…

I like the pizza at La Venezia in Woodbury in the little shopping center just west of the Seaford/Oyster Bay Expwy on the north side of Jericho Tpk.

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Originally posted by the ancient mariner



-Geide's in Centerport (opposite Linck's) wonderful duck
-The San Souci in Bethpage, next to Grummans --- for gourmets

I remember having duck the 2 or 3 times my grandmother took us to Geide's when I think I may have been about ten, maybe 45(?!?) years ago…

I do remember the Beau Sejour in Bethpage by Grumman that was quite upscale…

Anyone remember the Harmony Rest on north side of Jericho Tpk. somewhere between Jericho to maybe Huntington or so? Not the Harmony bar on Newbridge Rd. in Hicksville, near East Meadow. I seem to recall a place called Charcoal Charlie's (not the Oakdale Bronco Charlie's in Oakdale) in Levittown waaaay back…

quote:

Originally posted by kozel
If you're from the Woodbury area, have you been to that BBQ stand just east (I think) of that Quality Inn on the south side of Jericho?

Yes, where you said, just east of Plainview Rd. I think it's called Poppa Rick's and it's pretty good. Texas-style BBQ, I believe…

Long Island...sigh...born and raised here. Have to agree with some of the posters about a few of the "classics"; Zorn's chicken, still great; Ray-Norr's in Baldwin; Umberto's in New Hyde Park; All American in Massapequa. Here's a few more;
Krisch's in Massapequa Park - homemade ice cream, a real "soda shop", comfort food, 50's style, still family owned;
Leo's in Garden City - as close to a real life "Cheers" as you'll ever find. THE social spot in GC for grads and families; Try the bacon cheeseburger, you won't be disappointed; Good ribs and chili too
Koenig's in Floral Park - Old style german; seems to have slipped a bit in recent years
"LUNCH" in Amagansett - the best Lobster Roll ever!
Nathan's in Oceanside - Almost as good as the original in Brooklyn
Unfortunately, the "applebees" and "chili's" are making their inroads and some local places are feeling the crunch.

quote:

Originally posted by MacTAC

Originally posted by the ancient mariner



-Geide's in Centerport (opposite Linck's) wonderful duck
-The San Souci in Bethpage, next to Grummans --- for gourmets

I remember having duck the 2 or 3 times my grandmother took us to Geide's when I think I may have been about ten, maybe 45(?!?) years ago…
I do remember the Beau Sejour in Bethpage by Grumman that was quite upscale…

i cant believe this website exists, so i m talking to my sister,on the phone about lincks log cabin so i do a web search and you guys come up ....incredible memories, remember the fish tanks at patrica murphys, glynns and geides the one across from lincks had the great neon sign of a duck being followed by 4 ducklings, beau sejour went there every thanksgiving huge family, that place on 25a the wildwood or greenwood had the best onion rings in the world...they closed that place down because brookhaven guys were scared of the motorcycle crowd they re zoned it......and when you went into cold spring harbour there were actually 2 clam bars....great stuff and of course who could forget hamburger choo choo in huntington....but the best, and I havent heard anyone mention it in 40 years was lollipop farm...that place was great does anyone remember kiddy city by douglaston how about the north shore steak house that may still exist al dowds in centerport, where we had a summer house had the best gorganzola salad dressing i the world good steaks to ayone remember drifters reef a bar in centerport they had shot prices penciled on the bottles ..amazing

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Originally posted by belugaz...but the best, and I havent heard anyone mention it in 40 years was lollipop farm...that place was great does anyone remember kiddy city by douglaston how about the north shore steak house that may still exist al dowds in centerport, where we had a summer house had the best gorganzola salad dressing…

Hi Belugaz

•Loved the Lollipop Farm…

•I think I remember passing the place in Douglaston and wishing I could go. Never did. Probably would have never thought of that place again had you not mentioned it…

•My mother's aunt had a summer place in Centerport. They called it the bungalow. It was where the parking lot was added onto the west end of the Mill Pond Inn (?) I remember clamming out there and can still remember the taste of the Manhattan style chowder they made…

Before many of you were born there was a wonderful place called Lake Ronkonkoma---not the place that is there now. It was a a small town, I think 80 year round families when we moved there in 1940--but all around the lake were pavilions---open only during the summer season only and- for 3 or 4 months they really swung. Hollywood , Green, Raynors, Busch's, Jack Yerks and Ronk Shores (now the Bavarian Inn) -------dancing every night---put a nickel in the nickelodean----and find the cutest high school girl and dance the lindy or the slow dances-------hamburgers and cokes and if you didn't have a nickel the music from across the lake would be loud enough to dance to. And when the war was over and some older guys had cars we would go to the Smithtown Diner for breakfast at 2 am or there abouts. Listen to and dance to the music of Glenn Miller, Harry James,Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Artie
Shaw , Frankie, Bing and Dick Haymes, Dinah Shore and lots more. What a way to spend your teen years. Long Island isn't what it used to be.

After the war people had cars and The Lake got too crowded on the weekends so we would go out to Westhampton for beach parties. Cross over the bridge and turn right and there wasn't a house in sight. Park off the road, carry blankets and food and beer across the dunes and camp out over night. We could have bought the whole place for $100 if we had $100. It is now covered completely with homes, very expensive beach front homes. But, who knew. But there was nothing like swimming in the Atlantic and great hot dogs and burgers cooked on open fires and then----those "Sandy Kisses " yummy.