Good Times Best Of 2019 Dining Guide

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THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

By Rich Branciforte

Burgers Galore & More: Ceriello 541 Leads The Pack

Who would have thought that the common burger would be elevated in the culinary world to heights never dreamed of? Chefs, cooks, and businessman are all scrambling to get in on the latest gold rush in food fads. Gone are the yogurts and health food trends; in are the double cheese with all the toppings.

CERIELLO 541 CLUB

A colleague threw down the gauntlet last issue when he declared Spanky's Food Factory in Garden City Park at the top of the game, and a visit confirmed this is a strong contender for raves. And the daily newspaper (I forget its name) had a cover story on the 10 “Top Burgers On Long Island.” While many of their choices are indeed excellent, Good Times has selected some choices that won't require a bank loan and are true finds.

The daily's #1 is ours also: Ceriello 541 Club of Williston Park. I've been to hundreds of burger places over the years, eaten thousands of burgers, and have to write: This is the best burger I've ever eaten!

What makes this burger so special is its blend of four cuts: brisket, sirloin, short ribs, and chuck.

Andy, the owner, has a group of Ceriello food markets throughout Long Island and two in Maryland, but opened a burger joint in the small store next to his market in Williston Park.The burger is a hefty six ounces and comes with free toppings that include bacon, cheese, caramelized onions and other choices – and the price for this monster? $5.99! Can you handle that? Plus for an even $10, you can get exquisite french fries and a soda – not just any kind, but all Stewart's bottles are included.

The burger is covered while cooking on the griddle to keep in the juices, and this is one juicy burger. This is a small place with about a dozen seats, but to anyone who craves quality and price, it’s well worth the trip. What also makes Ceriello special is the crew that man the grill, Jannee and John. They have cooking the burgers just right down to an art form.

Ceriello 541 Club, 541 Willis Aveune, Williston Park, (516) 747-0277

Another place we found by accident is Burger City in East Meadow in the parking lot of Zachary's shopping center. Opened in August, and in the building that once housed Rita's water ices, this no frill place is a throwback to the great burger joints of old. Nothing fancy, limited menu, but burgers worth the wait as the line sometimes snakes out the front door. Shack Shack may have

the rep, but Burger City delivers the goods.

Burgers are $1.65, Doubles are $2.65...these are tasty and satisfying, in the tradition of All American. Jimmy and Johnny, the owners ,have run many successful restaurants and businesses, including the famous Swim Club in Forest Hills.

A quarter pound burger with cheese is only

money. Three little slices of brisket, plus one cut up and being passed off as burnt ends for 14 bucks? Keyword: DRY. Totally overcooked, no fat at all, grey looking. And to make matters worse, they don't put any sauce on. Now, when we hit all the BBQ joints in Lockhart, Texas, we could allow for no sauce in a place like Kreuz's because it

SID’S ALL AMERICAN

BURGER CITY

$3.30, shakes are an unbelievable $2.50. My mouth waters as I write this. Fries, rings, and hot dogs fill out the offerings.

Burger City is located at 1900A Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow; (516) 285-3355.

A shout out to Sid's in Glen Cove. This is another great find, inside what must have been an old Carvel in its day. The Sid's House Burger is a delicious quarter pounder topped with grilled onions, pickles, tomato, and Russian dressing, only $5.85.

Decent fries; also try the Texas Burger, which is topped with onion petals, BBQ sauce, and Texas chipotle sauce.

For something a little heartier, Sid's also serves up a cheese steak hero for $8.75 that's pretty darn good.

Sid's, 80 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Cove; (516) 200-9071.

This is the just the beginning of our burger expeditions. Coming up will be Texas Ranger in Freeport, Local Burger in Bay Shore, and Holy Cow in Rockville Centre.

Do you have any places you believe should be added to the list?

Closing out: Although it's not burgers, we have to mention a visit to BrisketTown in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

We drove 35 miles to get a really poor meal.

At $14 a 1/2 pound, this is a total waste of

14 • Good Times Magazine - December 15 - 28, 2015

didn't need it. The meat here was so dry, we wound up putting hot sauce on it just to give it a taste. Pulled pork was a notch up, and the potato salad at $5 was another waste – red potatoes with a bland dressing (non mayo). BrisketTown has been written up as a great place, but if you check Yelp and Chowhound, some of the reviews are negative. Add us to that list: It was $32 for a meal we wouldn't go to White Castle for.

THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

By Richard Branciforte

Brother Jimmy’s Serves Righteous BBQ

Okay ... let’s get some of our prejudices out of the way. When we heard that Brother Jimmy's BBQ was opening an outlet in the casual section of a mall, we immediately thought, “Oh, no, here we go again.”

We've been on the wrong end of too much swine cooked at unlikely mall outlets.

Brother Jimmy's, in its newest incarnation at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, overcame the location to render a very good BBQ experience. The very meaty, very tender, and the chain has multiple locations in crust (bark) was mouth-watering Manhattan, Connecticut, and good. We could have easily Florida, as well as the Carolinas; many of the outlets are full-service knocked off a few pounds of them given the chance. restaurants. Jimmy’s at Roosevelt Another top-notch item was the Field has a limited but Carolina Pulled Pork; tender, mouth-watering menu, and plump, and well delivers top-notch spiced. Also 'cue.

Jimmy’s Delivers winners were the Tops on our list Top-Notch ‘Cue brisket and smoked were the ribs, turkey. I would pass on smoked smoked for four to five hours with bologna bites, which were more of Carolina BBQ sauce. They were

Photos by Alexander Stein

a sawed-off hot dog.

An outstanding treat were the smoked meatballs; they were tossed with bourbon-chipotle sauce, topped with cheddar, and absolutely delicious.

Other winners: the side of cornbread; very good

Carolina slaw, and a fine banana pudding for dessert. Also on the menu were candied yams and collard greens.

Prices at Jimmy’s at Roosevelt Field were quite reasonable considering its location, near Neiman Marcus and other high-end stores.

Jimmy's motto is “Put Some South In Yo' Mouth,” which is a good line – even though it originated with The Georgia Pig in Brunswick in the 1970s. “Righteous” BBQ describes it even better.

Brother Jimmy's is located in the new Roosevelt Field dining district. We hope that they import some of their other signature items from the Manhattan locations; otherwise, a safari to the City is in order.

Photos (cover and article) courtesy Live Nation/Interscope

THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

business here – the rotisserie in the front window tells that story better than we ever could – but the quick and friendly service and sparkling clean atmosphere inside make this a great Queens choice for either a quick bite or a These days, even casual dining multi-course Chinese feast. establishments have a lot to live up And feast you will: Our initial order to. Buoyed by the success (at least – Singapore Mai Fun, traditional until recently ) of such “upscale” sticky rice, spicy pork buns, and casual eateries as Chipotle and barbecued chicken spears – were Panera Bread, diners and restaurants served family style and hot, with of all kinds can no longer be little portions more than generious enough “holes in the wall” offering for sharing. We're not kidding: A perfunctory food and dingy décor; couple could spend as little as $20 today's foodies want feasts for both eating dinner here and leave the taste buds and the eyes. completely sated. The menu itself is Such is the case with a new name one of the most massive we've ever in Queens' glutted Chinese restaurant experienced; there are literally scene: Wo Kee Noodle, recently hundreds of choices of entrees, opened at 168-12 Union Turnpike soups, appetizers, and chef's specials (718 487-3590, wokeenoodle.com for offered; your mind and eyes will online orders), serves up a shockingly boggle looking over the endless vast menu of fresh and choices of appetizers, fast delicacies in one of Wo Kee Noodle: cold dishes, barbecue, the cleanest, freshest- Fresh, Clean, Affordable pork, chicken, congee, looking eating areas in beef, seafood, this otherwise humdrum area dotted vegetable dishes, noodle-based with jejune restaurant choices. foods, and casseroles.

Sure, there's a burgeoning takeout

• Good Times Magazine - November 29 - December 12, 2016

Wo Kee Noodle is just the tonic if you're in the St. John's University area, or feel like taking “the long way” into Manhattan from Nassau County.

The quality is nearly as fine as many of the better Manhattan Chinese eateries, and that's just about the highest compliment we can bestow upon it.

Here's a look back at a pair of worthy Chinese food choices from our “Best Of Bountiful Gourmet” special columns of the past: DJ’s International Buffet (1100 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, (516) 227-2427; djsbuffet.com): A much-expanded and higher quality menu ... recently renovated … prime rib is wellprepared and tasty ... shrimp, shrimp, and more shrimp ... chafing dishes

DJ’s International Buffet

are continually replaced ... ribs, seafood, Chinese favorites, and a lot more.

Curry Club (10 Woods Corner Road, East Setauket, (631) 751-4845; curryclubeastsetauket.com): Packs in a steady crowd of students from

Curry Club

nearby SUNY-Stony Brook ... Zagat Guide called it “the best of its kind east of Queens” ... “Special Club Curries” are based on a centuries-old recipe written by the royal chefs of The Mughal Dynasty.

THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

The Rex Is The Apex: We've noted this before: It's not enough to offer even simple fare without style; consumers (and the eateries that serve them) have learned that they'd much rather have “delcious” than “inexpensive” – it's why Shake Shack is still drawing lines, and why McDonald's is having trouble drawing even flies.

However, it's always been our credo that smaller – and local – is better, and now Mineola has been blessed with The Rex Burger & Lobster (524 Jericho Turnpike, in the same shopping center as Panera Bread, Luigi's Pizza, and Chipotle; (516) REX-BRGR or (516) 739-2747; therexburgerandlobster.com).

Open only since mid-December, the new restaurant's charter is simple: “It's fine food meets fast dining,” and it's truth in advertising; a better headline we could not write. It's a limited menu, but that's the point of The Rex – and it's already pleasing those have stopped by, some out of curiosity after picking up a roll of gauze or some milled soap at the Harmon Drug at the end of the shopping center.

If you haven't experienced it, it doesn't sound like much: Walk in past a wellstocked wine and beer bar (!), and make your order from the menu. You're given a placard with a number (similar to the method at Luigi's, which by the way has been beautifully renovated), and you take any seat you choose. A few moments later, your beverage choices are delivered, and before you can finish arguing about whether Lucas Duda should be resigned by the Mets, here's your burger and The Rex: Merging The Old

With The New ... Deliciously

Honest Restaurant Reviews lobster rolls.

No snark here: The food is terrific – and original. What is pictured here is the what you get when you order The Rex Burger, a pair of cooked-to-order Angus burgers, served with an array of luscious toppings (including “Rex sauce,” $8.95). It's an original presentation which is savory and worthwhile, unlike the french fries, served with an array of creamy dipping sauces – but we mean the second statement as a compliment. The fries here rival such famed NYC choices as Box Frites or Rue 57; the combination of fresh potato flavor with the unexpected bite (or mellowness) of the sauces make them a must-try.

That was our meal, and raves over the chicken sandwich and lobster rolls are also coming fast – but it's the friendly atmosphere, cleanliness, and overall charm that pushes The Rex to the forefront of Long Island burgerdom, and heaven knows there's a lot of competition. All in all, The Rex isn't just lunch; it's an experience that's as pleasant as it is calorically decadent.

THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

LI Chefs Fight Hunger: Many of Long Island’s top chefs will come together on Monday, February 27 to host The Chefs’ Table For No Kid Hungry, a multi-course dinner at Swallow Restaurant in Huntington Village. Guests will enjoy a signature course from each chef, as well as cocktails and select wine pairings. All proceeds will support No Kid Hungry, a campaign that works to ensure that every child in the United States has access to healthy food.

Joining Swallow’s Executive Chef James Tchinnis for this event will be Michael Psilakis (MP Taverna, Kefi, Fishtag); Marc Anthony Bynum (Hush Bistro); Kent Monkan (Brass Rail, Wild Goose); Stephan Bogardus (North Fork Table & Inn); Kate Chef Snider (Cantine); and an array of other chefs Michael Psilakis and food experts.

Statistics: An estimated number of 13 million kids (one in five in America) are living in households without consistent access to enough food; 22 million

Honest Restaurant Reviews & News

Chef year – that’s 65,000 James people each week.

Tchinnis More than one third of

kids rely on free or reduced price school lunches; three out of four public school teachers say that students regularly come to school hungry, and 81 percent say it happens at least once a week.

Children who are hungry are more likely than their peers to experience behavioral issues, reduced ability to learn social skills and impaired cognitive learning – even permanent brain damage. In the Long Island area, nearly 284,000 people receive emergency food every

these are children under 18.

“Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast, are able to get the nutrition they need during the summertime, and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget,” stated a press release. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength; learn more at nokidhungry.org.

Located in the heart of Huntington Village, Swallow Restaurant delivers some of the best small plate dishes on Long Island in a casually elegant dining atmosphere. Dishes are composed of the freshest seasonal and local ingredients.

More info on Swallow: swallowrestaurant.com. Tickets for the special event are $200.

Information: (631) 547-5388.

Blimpie Goes Italian: Blimpie has added to its menu with two new piadina Italian flatbread sandwiches. The Meatball & Sausage Piadina and The Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch Piadina are now in restaurants.

"Known for their buttery, flakey crust and transportability, piadinas are a delicious Italian flatbread sandwich that our guests are going to love," said Steve Evans, Blimpie's vice president of marketing. "Blimpie is always looking at trends across the industry and we have seen an increase in cultural cuisines making their way to menus. By bringing the Meatball & Sausage Piadina and the Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch Piadina to Blimpie, we can offer our guests the tastes of authentic Italian street food they can't get anywhere else."

Piadinas will be available in Blimpie stores through April 30.

By Richard Branciforte THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET Willie Degel’s Steak & Organic Empire Is Sizzling

If you have ever wanted to meet a “serial entrepreneur,” your trip can end as close by as Glen Head in Nassau County or Bayside in Queens: You can meet up with one of Long Island's leading restaurateurs, who is currently juggling many balls in building his dining empire.

His name is Willie Degel, and for those of you food faddies out there, you may recognize him as the booming presence in “Restaurant Stakeout,” The Food Network series that features Willie trying to rescue floundering restaurants that need either marketing savvy, or more likely, a complete makeover of their modus operandi.

Willie is well qualified to take on the role of restaurant consultant, having strung together an empire of many different types of restaurants.

A Queens boy who made good, Willie opened his first operation in 1990, a local joint known as Hollywood And Main. This was just the beginning.

In 1996, Willie opened Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in Bayside, a throwback to the glory days of steakhouses. Willie had stiff competition; New York is known for its high profile steak places, but the attention to detail, service, and especially the food quality made Uncle Jack's a huge success. City types made the reverse journey to Bayside to sample his exotic selections of quality beef, and he was off and running. The Uncle Jack's empire mushroomed into three

locations with Willie opening two locations in the lions' den: Manhattan.

The steak business flourished, and Willie was on the move.

Since 2010, Long Island has become a paradise for burger lovers, with fancy restaurant owners falling all over themselves to open high-end quality burger joints.

Famous chefs and nightclub owners have all joined the parade, and it seems like there's a craft burger joint on every corner.

Sensing once again an opening in the market, Willie came up with the concept of Jack's Shack Organic Eatery in Glen Head, close to Willie his Long Island home. Degal He took it way beyond just burgers, however, concentrating on a high-quality menu at reasonable prices that includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, tacos, quesadillas, and more, all made with quality organic ingredients. Whereas most eateries fill their walls with posters or collectibles, Jack's Shack features their sourced ingredients on rich-looking signs.

And everything is sourced: The oil in the fryer is an organic rice brand; there are several varieties of ketchup, Heinz -based, including Cowboy and Buffalo

14 • Good Times Magazine - June 27 - July 10, 2017

flavor. The very impressive burgers are an all-natural blend of chuck, short rib; and brisket; our favorite is The Glen Head, which is an eight-ounce burger with beef, pulled pork, applewood bacon, fried onions, cheddar cheese, and barbecue sauce. It’s big and juicy,

and fine tasting, indeed.

Jack's features nearly a dozen different kinds of sandwiches and as well as wraps, salads, and plenty of interesting sides, such as turkey chili.

The attention to detail is impressive.

While lunching one afternoon with Willie, it was interesting to see him approach his customers and ask their opinions on what they ordered. The details are there with every item; I was even impressed by the soda selection.

Foregoing the typical Coke/Pepsi hookup, Willie has stocked up on the

highly regarded Boylan soda, including a very tasty diet root beer.

Willie laughed as he remembered how he got the job as host of “Restaurant Stakeout.” Someone entered him as an answer to an ad on Craig's List for a “tough bar owner.” He parlayed that into several years as host, with each episode taking five days to film.

His notoriety has helped, but it's Willie's pursuit of the next big idea that seems to be his driving force. Plans include opening a new meeting place in the hot Astoria area, and the next Jack's Shack would most likely be in the highly dense Forest Hills area.

Glen Head is an opportunity for Willie to develop the Jack's Shack brand before rolling it out to other areas. It also gives him an opportunity to be close to his family, an important part of his personae.

There iss plenty to choose from: Mondays are $5 burgers all day (two minimum), there's Quesadilla Thursdays, and don't forget Wiener Wednesday, two for $5 – an don't miss the organic fresh pressed juices.

Pop over to Jack's Shack and say hi to Willie, and tell him you're on a healthy eating mission. Trust us: He'll have the tasty solution.

Jack's Shack is located at 671A Glen Cove Avenue in Glen Head; contact the restaurant at (516) 676-7001.

THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

By Rich Branciforte

Arby’s Really Does Have The Meats

Friends who have followed my eating habits over the years have come to the same, unfortunate conclusion: They're really not great. I never saw a Chinese buffet that didn't beckon me, I'm a ghoul for burgers, and can't pass up fast food. That's why, after years of shying away from eating contests, I wound up entering the Arby's East Meadow Meat Mountain eating contest.

Because it was there!

I had visited the recently opened new location in East Meadow and was delighted that one of my favorite sandwich places had moved closer to home base. Although I enjoy the jaunt to Bellmore or Fresh Meadows, this was within shouting distance of the Good Times office. I was there to sample the bourbon brisket item; in this case, went with The Triple Stack, roast beef and double brisket topped with delicious sugar cured bacon. We replaced the turkey with the double brisket.

It was delicious. The brisket really tasted like brisket, not some food chain’s idea of it. And of course, we had the delicious curly fries. That’s when I noticed the flyer on the wall for the challenge.

It was a contest to see who could devour the secret menu item, The Meat Mountain, the fastest. I did my homework, and saw that the 23-ounce behemoth contained some of every meat they serve.

That mean, the sandwich contained chicken tenders, ham, corned beef, smoked brisket, angus steak, roast beef, bacon, and cheddar and swiss cheese.

Showtime: I showed up an hour early to scout the competition. Not

2 • Good Times Magazine - September 19 - October 2, 2017

bad: Two women, and two guys named “The Handyman” and “The Hungryman.” I'm not a speed eater, but it seemed doable. The prize was dinner for two for a week.

The sandwiches came out, we went into battle mode, and the race was on. The sandwich was absolutely delicious; the meat was tender and very tasty. I split it in half to make it easier to eat. I didn't win; Handyman won easily, but I was more into savoring the meal, although the Arby's gang kept prompting everyone not to slow down.

After the event, I spoke to Scott, the manager, and Brian, one of the owners. I told them that I thought this was the best Arby's around. Brian said the reason was simple and explained that they use

fresh ingredients and cook them fresh; that makes the taste stand out. The staff was really pleasant, something you don't always find in a fast/casual spot.

In all, a winning event at one of my favorite places. Stop by and say hello to the boys, and be aware: The Meat Mountain is from their secret menu and you have to ask for it at the register. The price? A mere $10, well worth it for this giant.

My regret? The next time, I won't go to a Chinese buffet for lunch.

Just kidding! I think I could have knocked off at least three of these big boys if there was no time limit.

Congrats to Jason The Handyman on his big win. But watch out, man, I'm on a roll ...

THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

In search of the perfect burger, we are traveling to two ends of the Island: Mt. Sinai and Jackson Heights. Though far apart in distance, they are incredibly close in one aspect – they offer high quality burgers at bargain basement prices.

Go Burger is located in a small strip center, right behind what used to be a big skatepark on Route 25A, Mt. Sinai. They say the best time to write a food review is while you can still savor the taste of the meal on your palate. And savor is the right word for this scrumptious burger and food joint.

The burgers are juicy, crafted with Pat LaFrieda beef, and the staff is efficient and friendly. But about the burgers....A 5 oz single is only $5, but a big 10 oz double is a mere $7.

This is quality meat at its bestm medium done to perfection. You can see the juices dripping out, but this is for real, not a TV com-

Burgers That Will Make You Drool!

Emoji Burger

30-foot food trailer a truck) which is in the process of being converted into a stand-alone brick and mortar hotspot.

Also: make sure you use their Go sauce on just about anything;

Go Burger

mercial for some burger chain.

And Go Burger delivers. Add ons like bacon or cheese are only $1 extra, but you can load up on sauteed mushrooms, sauteed onions, hot peppers, great Go sauce, all for free.

They also feature other popular menu items like cheesesteaks for $9, Buffalo Chicken Salad, great shakes for $5 and a bag of donuts served with warm chocolate & vanilla dipping sauces.

Although at 10 ounces the burger is a beauty, the french fries are a work of art. A large bag of hand cut crispy fries is $4, but believe me, the $2 “small” bag is big enough to feed at least three people (or one hungry writer).

Amazingly, there is very little grease in the bag.

Phil, the owner, also has a food truck in Ridge, (if you can call a

it's got a bite, and is great for dipping the fries.

Forget about Bobby Flay. Go Burger, located at 271 Route 25A Mt. Sinai is the true “palace” for comfort food in the Stony Brook area. Reach out to them at (631) 432-3331.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Jackson Heights, Queens we go, for a gigantic burger “find.” A trip to the Queens Museum brought us to Emoji Burger after we found it on Yelp. Nearly every review was a rave, so we figured we would have to put it to the test.

It passed with flying colors. It's a small place, maybe 15 seats in an industrial/techno looking place, but immaculate. Service was fast, the manager worked the room making sure that everyone's food was cooked correct, and the line formed for those waiting to grab

2 • Good Times Magazine - January 30 - February 12, 2018

their pickups.

Emojis on the internet bring a smile to your face, and so will the food at Emoji Burger. We had “Da Wink”, a juicy burger with American cheese, applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato and emoji aioli sauce. What a treat. Only $6.50 for the works. Or you might try the O'Dada, a behemoth of beef, cheese, caramelized onions, mushrooms, cilantro, tomatoes,

By Rich Branciforte soy sauce and lettuce. A whopper at $6.75.

Other items you want to check out are the Angry Dog, a beef dog with mozzarella cheese, shredded chicken, raw onions, shredded chips, and emoji aioli.

Fries are delicious, fresh cut Idaho potatoes, although you might try the emo fires, with bacon bits, shredded parmesan, scallion and emoji aioli. Don't miss out on the chipotle or cilantro mayos either.

For a chaser, you will want to try the homemade ice cream flavors from Max and Mina’s, a legendary local ice cream joint on Main Street, Kew Gardens, only $2.85 for a scoop. Or try their incredible shakes, including blackberry, banana dulce or passion fruit, only five bucks.

Emoji Burger is the real deal. I traveled nearly 25 miles to eat here, and will return often. It’s located at 80-07 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, in a very busy business area. This is one place that will push the smile emoji button for great food at humane prices. Call them at (917) 8326427 and tell them Good Times sent you.

THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

Move over Smokin' Al's: There may be a new champ in town.

There's nothing better than making a great food discovery by accident.

During a recent visit to Islip, we came across Dang!

BBQ by the railroad tracks and stopped in. The food was great, leading to a return visit for Father's Day. Dang! is a four-star threat, because it has great 'cue,

an eclectic beer menu, nine killer Mac & Cheese combos, and outrageous milkshakes. My son, who was up from Austin, Texas, declared it as good as most of the better Texas BBQ joints.

We opened up with Chicken Bacon Ranch Cheese Fries, a gargantuan portion served in a skillet – hand-cut fries with cheese sauce,melted cheddar, BBQ chicken, crumbled bacon, sweet BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing. Fantastic: Eat your hearts out, poutine lovers.

For the main course, we went with the Dang! three-meat combo platter. Again, a mountain of meat; we opted for the ribs, brisket and pulled pork. There were five ribs plus a huge quantity of very moist brisket and excellent pulled pork. I would rate this AAA. Also devoured was the Jurassic Pork, a football size

By Richard Branciforte

Dang Good BBQ In Islip burrito stuffed with pulled pork, mac and cheese, bacon, with sauce. A monster for a king. Ditto the outstanding pulled pork sandwich, and the prices were ridiculous – only $11.95 for that big boy burrito and $22.95 for the three-meat combo platter.

Not full yet? Can we tempt you with a Hog Wild Mac & Cheese topped with pulled

pork, bacon, and diced sweet sausage,topped with melted cheddar and onion tanglers?

Wash it down with one of their great beers including Elysian Fields; for dessert, you'll want to down one of their outrageous milkshakes. Perhaps the one with Fruity Pebbles and Fruit Loops?

Great barbecue, outrageous desserts, good prices and excellent service: Dang! BBQ could be the find of the year.

Dang! is located at 174 Islip Avenue in Islip.

Call (631) 581-DANG or check them out at dangbbq.com for some outrageous pictures.

Texas, watch out! Long Island is on the move.

Good Times Magazine - July 3 - 16, 2018 • 3

Bountiful Gourmet A Buffet That Will Fill You Up Photos By Sandy Branciforte

The Bountiful Gourmet is a man who knows his Sunday buffet brunches. As a matter of fact, he would be at least 20 pounds lighter if he wasn’t addicted.

For those of you who like day trips, then a visit to Tarrytown is worth the one-hour ride. A quaint

village on the Hudson, it is filled with shops, bars, restaurants and that old town vibe that can’t be beat.

However, located literally under the new Mario Cuomo Bridge, is a true treasure.

Sunset Cove has spectacular views of the new bridge and the old Tappan Zee, mainly because they are right under them.

But it is the Sunday brunch, not just the view that is shining.

Most buffets have the same items, often good, often just okay.

But Sunset has set the bar for moderate priced Sunday brunches.

Their menu is not only large, but each item is specially prepared, and unlike many buffets, the food is replenished continuously as it runs down. Eggs Benedict and

24 - Good Times Magazine - August 12 - 25, 2014

Eggs Florentine are perfectly cooked. These are my favorites, no Eggs Benedict, no me. Waffles, french toast all light and delicious.

Great homemade marmalade.

Tart and a winner.

Excellent made to order pancakes including blackberry, blueberry, chocolate chip and strawberry. Custom omelettes that sizzle. Tons of CRISP bacon, sausages. Great roasted potatoes with onions.

Penne a la vodka with salmon was a winner, and one of my great favorites, rigatoni carbonara was a real standout. When do you see this item on a Brunch Buffet menu?

by Rich Branciforte

Excellent meats including a juicy sliced ham.Good veal (not chicken) marsala.

Almost impossible to save room for desserts, but you should. These homemade goods are from Bakery Chef of Tarrytown and included lemon cake, apple strudel, cheese danish cake, chocolate layer cake ... all very light and fluffy.

Very strong mimosas (complimentary) Excellent wait staff..your every request is acted on quickly. Host Freddy is as personable as they get.

Plan ahead, reservations are suggested, and they have excellent holiday brunch specials as well.

Sunset Cove is located at 238 Green Street in Tarrytown.

They can be reached at (914) 366-7889, or check them out at sunsetcove.net.

By Richard Branciforte THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET Long Island Italian Food At Its Absolute Best

The Bountiful Gourmet has been going native, stopping at several outstanding Italian restaurants throughout the Island. The scoop: Carnival Restaurant in Port Jefferson Station is a standout, consistently on everyone's “best-of” lists – and a recent visit showed why.

The place is gorgeous, and the feeling is that you are in a great restaurant in Rome or Naples. On a Sunday night it was packed, and

CLUBBING

it was understandable: The fried calamari (above left) as a starter was a standout; plentiful and as tender as I've ever had. The marinara sauce was delicious. The Rigatoni Carbonara was flawless, lush, and delicious, a winner in white cream sauce with bacon and sauteed mushrooms. Bowtie pastas with salmon (below left) was another winner, prepared in a pink cream sauce with sauteed onions, sun dried tomatoes, and fresh garlic.

Chicken Carnival was outstanding: a breaded chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella, onion, eggs, and prosciutto.

The only disappointment was the pizza: a Buffalo slice with mostly cheese, little if any sauce, and a few tiny pieces of chicken. Skip it and stay with the classics.

Carnival Restaurant is located at 4900 Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station; call (631) 473-9772.

Villa Milano in Manhasset was a real surprise find.

Located directly opposite the Long Island Railroad station, the pizzeria front doesn't reflect the splendor inside.

Step into the dining area and you're transformed to Italia. A beautiful ceiling enlivens the room.

The Chicken Francese was sensational, dipped in egg batter, sauteed with wine, lemon, and butter, and served golden brown and bubbling. Three big pieces!

The chicken parm (below right) was another hit, a jumbo order of tender chicken.

The side of rigatoni was delicious.

The bread

and rolls were outstanding.

The only drawback we can think of is that the delicious pizza is not served by the slice in the dining room after 5 pm.

This is a shame, since Villa Milano serves some of the tastiest pizza around – and the chicken slices are LOADED. However, after 5 pm, pizza slices are still served in the front of the restauarant.

Villa Millano is at 168 Plandome Road in Manhasset; call (516) 365-3440.

What's your favorite Italian restaurant? Let us know at gtmag @optonline.net.

New Year's Eve Party: DJ Collie Brody McKay's Tavern, Selden December 31 brodymckaystavern.com (631) 451-2386

Badlands: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Tribute K.J. Farrell's, Bellmore December 28 • kjfarrells.com • (516) 804-9925 They're back: The 7 pm headliners on this holiday weekend will perform all that Springsteen songs you'd ever want to hear – and you won't have to shell out Broadway prices to enjoy them. The band: Lenny LaPinta, Ben Greenspan, Steve Forrester, Brian Connelly, Rich Coyle, Chris Cangeleri, and Darren Gallagher.

The Red White & Blues Band • Treme, Islip • December 29 • (631) 277-2008 This sounds like a plan: Authentic rockin' blues played with swing and swagger.

This Bellmore-based unit has been regulars at the best of Long Island's blues venues, bringing their love of the art form to a fan base that seems to increase with every passing show.

Ring in the New Year with a free champagne toast at midnight, hats, noisemakers, and a free buffet – not to mention the rocking and danceable sounds coming from one of Long Island's most recognized deejays, who enjoyed a banner 2018.

Good Times Magazine - December 18, 2018 - January 14, 2019 • 21

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET LVI Bistro: This place has the vibe of a European bistro and is a truly enjoyable place to hang out. The bar is super-active all day; everyone seems to know each other, and the barmaid is great – she knows the life story of every one of her customers. An exceptional standout is the penne alla vodka served in a deep bowl, but with a refined taste.

Also excellent were the prime burger and homemade fries. Check them out for early week specials. 225 Birch Hill Road, Locust Valley; (516) 676-5377

Bo Bo Kitchen: This is the ultimate neighborhood spot, as Daniel and Jasmine have brought “take out” to another level – gigantic portions at near giveaway prices. Our favorites are sesame chicken, General Tso's chicken, chicken and broccoli, and moo goo gai pan.

Tender chicken, prepared to perfection; outstanding dumplings and lo mein as well.

When my son comes home from Texas, he calls them from the airport to have his order ready. If this was a full serve restaurant (they do have some tables), they would be lining up to get in. 285 Warner Avenue, Roslyn; (516) 484-3450

By Rich Branciforte Judy’s Dell: For those of us who think breakfast is a Hungryman Hero, this is the place: The Hungryman has three eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and cheese on a hero for $5.50; in Roslyn, that's considered to be free. The eggs, ordered over medium, are perfection. Bread is soft and delicious. You might also want to check out the Chicken Cordon Bleu cutlet hero for only $6.95.

Again, this is a local business that stands out.

613 Willis Avenue, Williston Park; (516) 427-5124

Your Mother's House: A great place that's combination sports bar, table dining, and neighborhood bar. It’s big, with a monster TV screen for sporting events. Fine appetizers; the wings are outstanding – but what we're really here for is the prime rib, only available two nights a week.

Beautifully seared, tender, just a great find.

The burgers and sandwiches are also exquisite. 2349 Jericho Turnpike, Garden City Park; (516) 493-9030

Good Times Magazine - January 15 - 28, 2019 • 7

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

By Rich Branciforte

A Giant Taste Of The Lone Star State At Texas Roadhouse

Sometimes the obvious is right in front of you, but you don't realize it: I travel all over the country looking for good barbecue, yet right in East Meadow we have Texas Roadhouse serving up some 'cue that would make Sam Houston proud.

Often, when chains take on regional specialties, the quality suffers – but a recent visit to Texas Roadhouse showed they are on the top of their game. Any steak on the menu will serve you well, but the Ft. Worth Ribeye is a great choice. Get it smothered with sauteed mushrooms and onions, jack cheese, or brown gravy and you have a winner.

The meal starts off with peanuts at the table while you wait. Then, your server brings you a hot basket of delicious rolls with creamy butter.

You can't go wrong with any starter, but our personal choice is always Cactus Blossom, a huge golden-fried onion with cajun horseradish sauce. Beware, though, dieters: it's 1,700 calories.

Steaks, sandwiches, and country fried sirloin dinners are only $9 to $11 – but the real bargain is the pulled pork dinner. If you arrive before 6

pm, TR has 11 menu items for only $9.99. This is no baby-sized, slimmed down dinner: You get a big pile of tender pulled pork, gently sauced along with two sides, including a huge house salad, four kinds of potatoes, greens, and more. All for $9.99! Even at $11.99, it would be a bargain.

Remember those delicious rolls? We love to turn them into a trio of pulled pork sliders.

Beware, this place is huge, but gets packed early.

When we were there it was a Thursday at 5:30 pm, and already it was full. No matter; the wait was only 15 minutes, proving the quality of the service.

Texas Roadhouse is like your favorite neighborhood joint, only bigger.

Dozens of couples are there, mingling with families of six or more; the day we were there, the entire East Meadow football team was celebrating. It all adds to the fun. Great fun, good vibe and delicious food: Hee Haw! Here’s a tip: Check if prime rib is available when you visit. Texas Roadhouse is open at 4 pm on weekdays and at noon on weekends. They are located at 2571 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow; call (516) 520-7427.

Good Times Magazine - January 29 - February 11, 2019 • 7

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

Galo Tavern 18 Offers Bistro Treasures: Sometimes, there's gold right in plain sight: I've passed Galo Tavern 18 dozens of times over the years, and always made a mental note that from the outside, it looked like a cool place to stop. Recently, a doctor's appointment found me a few blocks away, and I took the plunge – a great move.

Tavern 18 is a neighborhood grill that specializes in Portuguese Barbecue and American Comfort food. It is a pleasant place inside; its deep mahogany wood and grey walls are calming, and the feel is of a European bistro. The walls are adorned with pictures of old time New York. The decor makes you want to wander from room to room to check everything out.

Center stage is an inviting bar that features a wide selection of craft beers, including Omegang Witte, and about a dozen others.

They also feature Cosmo apple martinis, as well as a nice selection of whiskies.

Of course, food is what we're here for, and Tavern 18 satisfies. The Tavern Burger is a 10-ounce beauty, nicely grilled and served on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle, plus a side of shoestring fries.

A special treat was the “18,” a combo served in a skillet consisting of

10 • Good Times Magazine - February 12 - 25, 2019

By Rich Branciforte

bread, sliced prime rib, chorizo sausage, ham, jack cheese, and fried egg, covered with a beerinfused tomato sauce. It’s lightly spicy, but what a delicious taste it all provides.

The meal starts off with a quartet of hot Parker House rolls served with butter. Appetizers that stand out: the French onion soup au gratin, and the lobster and shrimp spring rolls.

Some entrees you might care for: The smoked pork BBQ ribs with fries, and the 42-ounce Porterhouse steak for two, perhaps with a side of lobster mashed potatoes.

Tavern 18 also offers a popular Sunday brunch menu featuring items such as tempura shrimp and chips, a crab cake Caesar salad, and all kinds of Benedicts – even crab cake Benedict. Bruno, the owner, has operated the place for about two years, and has upgraded its looks and menu. There are happy hour specials Monday through Friday, and specials are offered virtually all the time.

Valentine's Day expects to be one of the restaurant’s biggest events of the year; customers can order from menu specials, and there’ll be a rose provided for the ladies.

For those of you who know area restaurant history: This is the site of the old Stixx & Stones Restaurant. Galo Tavern 18 is located at 265-11 Union Turnpike in New Hyde Park. For reservations, call (718) 347-4846.

Stop in and treat yourself to a fine dining experience.

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

Grilled Heaven At Smith Haven: Texas de Brazil Churrascaria opened its seventh New York State location on May 8 at Lake Grove's Smith Haven Mall, making this the 64th restaurant in the Brazilian steakhouse brand worldwide. Texas de Brazil's familyowned restaurants are renowned for beautiful decor, their fire-roasted meats, and a Texas de Brazil rodizio-style dining experience that blends Churrascaria the flavor of Brazilian culture with the generous hospitality renowned in Texas.

The rodizio-style dining experience starts with a visit to the salad area filled with fresh hot and cold selections, then flame-roasted meats take center stage with each cut expertly grilled over natural wood charcoal – a Southern Brazil gaucho tradition passed down through generations.

"We are delighted to open our newest location today in this thriving Suffolk County shopping center,” said Salim Asrawi, chief operating officer for the Brazilian steakhouse brand. “We look forward to becoming part of this rich community and to welcoming Long Island residents and visitors with our exceptional service and distinctive dining experience."

Texas de Brazil Churrascarias feature an open-grill kitchen, chef's feature table, a salad area featuring fresh hot and cold selections, and a lounge and a wine cellar. Guests begin the rodizio-style meal

with a visit to the salad area, where hot and cold side specialty dishes offer variety. The selections include artisan breads, imported cheeses, fresh buffalo mozzarella, steamed asparagus with marmalade sauce, Brazilian hearts of palm, spicy shrimp salad, sushi, sautéed mushrooms, feijoada (black beans), jasmine rice, Moqueca (Brazilian coconut fish stew), lobster bisque, and more.

Flame-roasted meats take center stage during the main course, each prepared by a gaucho (server) who grills mouthwatering cuts over natural wood charcoal – a Southern Brazil gaucho tradition. When guests flip a two-sided disc located at each seat from red to green, gauchos deliver and carve slow-roasted meats tableside to order. Selections range from the picanha (sirloin), lamb chops, and filet mignon to leg of lamb, Parmesan-crusted pork loin, bacon wrapped chicken breast, and more. When a break from the endless flow of meats is desired, guests simply turn discs back to red. This unique style of dining helps pace the experience to fit any timeframe – from leisurely meals with friends and family to efficient meetings with business associates.

Texas de Brazil Churrascaria, 201 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove; for reservations, call (631) 212-1115 or visit texasdebrazil.com.

Photo courtesy Texas de Brazil Churrascaria via PR Newswire

Good Times Magazine - May 21 - June 3, 2019 • 7

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

By Rich Branciforte

Summer Barbecue At Its Best

Ah Summer! Heat is everyMighty Quinn’s where, it rains on weekends … what is there to look forward to? Barbecue, of course! The Bountiful Gourmet recently found two area restaurants you're going to love.

First up is superstar Mighty Quinn’s, with locations throughout Manhattan, New Jersey, Westchester, and Brooklyn.

You've seen them on The Food Network and dozens of other TV shows. I'm delighted to say the hype is all true. We tested them out at their East Village location, right on the corner of Second Avenue, a stone's throw from the original Fillmore East.

First, we were shocked by the prices – pleasantly shocked!

Everything was so reasonable we couldn't believe we were in Manhattan. Their wood-fed pits send out magnificent brisket and pulled pork. The brisket is Texas style, with juice dripping from the meat. A single portion is only $9.85; a pound costs $24.60. Ditto the pulled pork, slightly less, but succulent – and you can mix meats to get your pound. Also featured was sausage at $6.95, Burnt End Barbecue Beans with plenty of ends, and fabulous sweet corn ritters served with honey chilé dipping sauce, plus excellent slaw.

Pommes frites (French fries) were great at only $3.25. An extra huge plus is their cane sugar sodas, only $3.35; flavors include diet root beer, black cherry, and cream.

The East Village Mighty Quinn’s location is 102 Second Avenue in

FILM

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Starring Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell Directed and written by Quentin Tarantino Columbia Pictures • Opens July 26 Is Quentin Tarantino the right director for a look at Hollywood – and actress Sharon Tate – in a self-penned character study of two actors in the late 1960s? Sure, Tarantino has always reveled in pulpy, grainy old grindhouse films (think, well, Grindhouse), and his ninth film features a couple of soon-to-be has-beens in DiCaprio as Rick, a former TV western star, and his stunt double Cliff (Pitt), and they're both fading faster than that dot when you shut off a black-and-white TV set.

However, Dalton lives next door to Tate (the always luminous Robbie), she of the Manson Family murders – about as touchy a subject as any film could ever broach. Critics who saw festival screenings are calling this a hit; we're not so sure – even if it's great, the subject doesn't seem the type to resonate with the same film fans who summered with Aquaman, The Avengers, and cartoon pets.

6 • Good Times Magazine - July 16 - 29, 2019

New York City; call them at (212) 677-3733. Our only question: When are they coming to Long Island?

Closer to home, in the middle of Garden City is another find: smok-haus Gourmet Roadside Eatery. It's in a big industrial-style modern building opposite Sears, with plenty of outside seating.

Heartily recommended is the juicy beef brisket ($14 a serving) and the pulled pork, a hero at $11. The brisket had the proper amount of fat content and was a real treat.

Other items that are definitely worth a try include the “BTB Sandwich,” a pile of smoked shredded beef drizzled with five-cheese sauce, sauteed onions, and pulled pork on a toasted roll served with slaw and chips (only $12.75). We didn't try the Shrimp Po' Boy, but it smok-haus looked inviting; neighbors at another table seemed to devour it.

Sides include mac and cheese, cajun corn, smoked Brussels sprouts, baked beans, and house rice. There are five options to order: a pita sandwich, a burrito sandwich, a barbecue sandwich, a rice bowl, or a salad bowl. Combinations are many. smok-haus is located at 7 12th Street in Garden City; call them at (516) 833-6633 (the restaurant is closed on Mondays).

If you've got the summertime blues, you'll want to fix that the way God planned it – with some good 'cue.

Reviews and previews by Cody Bell; photos courtesy respective film companies

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET C’mon, Get Happy: Roosevelt Field, Smith Haven Mall, and Walt Whitman Shops are hosting special Happy Hours this summer. Each Long Island location is offering exclusive Happy Hour deals at participating restaurants, including The Capital Grille, Small Batch By Tom Colicchio, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, Texas de Brazil, The Cheesecake Factory, Del Frisco's Grille, Brio Tuscan Grille, Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, and more. Grab a colleague and end your workday on a happy note with these deals; here’s a look at what’s happening at each location: Roosevelt Field, Garden City: The Capital Grille helps you unwind after a hard day’s work with an extensive wine and cocktail list along with sharable sides for Happy Hour. Small Batch by Tom Colicchio entices taste buds during Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 3 to 6:30 pm, with special Happy Hour bites for just $6 to $19 and drinks from $5 to $8. Seasons 52 serves Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 pm, with specialty small plates and flatbreads alongside wine, beer, and cocktails, ranging from $4 to $7. Havana Central presents Happy Hour on Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 pm, with signature srinks and wines for $6. The Grand Luxe Café offers Happy Hour specials on craft and classic cocktails, drink specialties, wine, champagne, and beer.

Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove: Texas de Brazil offers Happy Hour specials at the bar starting at $3, including $5 well cocktails and select glasses of wine every Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6 pm. Bahama Breeze presents Happy Hour specials every Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 pm and Sunday from 9 pm to midnight, showcasing $5 specialty drinks including their signature Frozen

Great Happy Hours At Top Mall Restaurants

Bahamarita along with specials on appetizers. The Cheesecake Factory helps you unwind at the bar with specials on wine, beer, and appetziers every Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 pm. P.F. Chang’s offers a Happy Hour Special with $4 craft beers and $6 hand crafted cocktails and wine selections, $5 Din Su, and $6 Street Fare at the bar every Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6 pm. TGI Friday’s presents Happy Hour at the Bar every Monday through Sunday from open to close, including $3 beers, $5 cocktails, and $5 appetizers.

Walt Whitman Shops, Huntington Station: Del Frisco’s Grille offers Happy Hour deals every Monday through Friday from 4 to 6:30 pm at the bar or patio on bites, cocktails, spirits, and wine for just $7.

Brio Tuscan Grille's Happy Hour runs every Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, and from 9 pm to closing. Enjoy a selection of cocktails priced at $6. Wednesday is $5 martini day during Happy Hour, and Thursday is $5 Wine Day during Happy Hour. Bar bites range from $4 to $6; enjoy flatbreads, salads, calamari, shrimp, and more. Gastronomy Kitchen by Cirella’s hosts Happy Hour from 4 to 6 pm at the bar, with a range of half price selections of wine, beer, and cocktails. P.F. Chang’s showcases Happy Hour deals on food and drink options for $6 or less every Monday through Friday from 3 to 9 pm. The Cheesecake Factory presents Happy Hour deals from 4 to 6 pm featuring specialty cocktails for $6.50, select draft beers for $4.50, and a range of appetizers for $6.50. Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar offers Happy Hour deals, showcasing a $5 Plain & Simple Burger, $4 well drinks, $5 specialty cocktails, and more, every Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 pm.

FILM: Get Ready For One Creepy August serpents as a way of pleasing God – but as the pastor's daughter (Englert) prepares for her wedding day, she discovers a secret that reveals an evil that lives on in the church.

Them That Follow Starring Olivia Colman, Kaitlyn Dever, Alice Englert, Jim Gaffigan, Walton Goggins Directed & written by Britt Poulton & Dan Madison Savage 1091 • Opens August 2 A huge favorite at major film events – including The Stony Brook Film Festival – this is a riveting look at religion too deeply felt in Appalachia, as Pastor Lemuel Childs (Goggins) leads a flock of actual snake handlers who use twisted logic to own those

Yes, that's comedian Jim Gaffigan listed above, and according to those who have seen this unique movie, he's a scene stealer.

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark Starring Zoe Margaret Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush, Austin Abrams Directed by André Øvredal CBS Films/Lionsgate • Opens August 9 This isn't rated yet, but given the young cast, this might be just right for the post-ScoobyDoo crowd: A group of teens discover a book written by a girl named Sarah, whose own

6 • Good Times Magazine - July 30 - August 12, 2019

Photo: Happy Hour provided by Simon Malls

Reviews and previews by Cody Bell; photos courtesy respective film companies

scary times in her life are detailed in the tome. Of course, creepy stuff starts happening to the teenagers. We hope Velma and Shaggy make an appearance, but we’re wild-eyed optimists.

47 Meters Down: Uncaged Starring Sophie Nélisse, Corinne Fox, Sistine Rose Stallone, John Corbett, Nia Long Directed by Johannes Roberts Entertainment Studios • Opens August 16 This shark-based action film is likely to be more Sharknado than Jaws: It's from Bryon Allen's Entertainment Studios, which has never produced anything for TV or film that isn't pure, cheesy schlock.

Consider: When the most famous members of your cast are Sly Stallone's daugther and the husband from My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Corbett), expect nothing but cartoonish action with “acting” listed only because they had to. We'll be shocked if this cracks even the Top 20 (somehow, this is getting a wide release!).

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

By Rich Branciforte

Neighborhood Places That Hit The Spot

Readers of this column know that The Bountiful Gourmet loves to find neighborhood restaurants that only the locals know about. We were doing this before Guy Fieri did his first review: This is the 40th year of this column.

One evening, on the way home from Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, nearly everything was closed at midnight. We stumbled upon the Moriches Bay Diner, and it was a discovery that has rewarded us several times.

Diners are everywhere on Long Island, but really good diners are another matter. Moriches Bay has, like most diners, a gargantuan menu with just about every food you can imagine.

We like to keep it simple at a place like this. Two trips there, and we ordered the same meal each time. The Cowboy Burger is a delicious one half pounder, cooked exactly to order with bacon, melted cheddar, bbq sauce, and fried onions.

Each ingredient contributes to the overall great taste. Juice drips out of the tasty burger. Only $7.25 brings this baby home. Skip the pedestrian fries as an extra.

Also highly recommended is the chocolate chip pancakes, three fluffy and delicious pancakes that are the size of the plate. This baby

will set you back $7.95. And last but not least, the Spinach and Feta Cheese 3 egg omelette is fantastic. It's covered with fresh Spinach, and comes with potatoes(get the home fries well done, a treat) and toast.

Spiro, the owner, is a master politician. He slips from table to table, greeting his customers, most who seem to be regulars that he knows by first name. One night he spent nearly a half hour having a political discussion about the economy with a patron. He makes sure he stops by each table to ask how everything was. This is old school and is one of the reasons he's built such a loyal following.

Any good diner has a dessert section that is visually stunning, and Moriches Bay is no exception.

Try the chocolate layer cake, lush and moist. Or perhaps a wedge of carrot cake, another standout. And when I say wedge, I mean wedge. No small portions here.

Wait service is extremely conscientious, even on a busy night. The two waitresses we had stopped by several times to make sure everything was alright, or that we weren't missing anything.

Moriches Bay Diner is a gem, so put it on your short list. Why pay $20 for a burger somewhere else when this excels.

Moriches Bay Diner is located at 62 Montauk Highway, Moriches, easy to get to from the LIE, and only 15 minutes from Westhampton Beach. Phone 631-878-6827.

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

Cheesesteaks You Will Devour

I have a friend who just moved to Long Island, and he is a true cheesesteak maven. He’s complained from day one about the lack of good Philly-style cheesesteaks here, and sad to noyte, he's not wrong. He's used to going to any neighborhood joint in Philadelphia and getting an exquisite rendering of his favorite food.

Well, good news, Mike: I've done some work, and I’m happy to say I've come up with two candidates for your Halal Crunch cravings. The first was found by accident, as I had no idea they served such great cheesesteaks when I stopped in. Halal Crunch is located in a small retail strip, tucked away in the middle of auto repair businesses and other industrial shops just two minutes from Northern Boulevard and downtown Great Neck. I would rate this the best cheesesteak I've had this area; it is a huge sandwich on a tasty hero, with cheese, onions, and peppers. The steak is chopped, and the juices just ooze out of this delicious sandwich. More amazing: The price for this is only $6.

Clearly, a sandwich of this quality would be $12 at other places. The sandwich was so good I ordered a second one, ate half at the restaurant, and brought the rest home. Reheated the next day, it was every bit as juicy.

A combo can be had for only $8.99, which includes a mountain of fries and a can of soda; a cheeseburger is only $4.99 – wow! You might want to wash it all down with a mango or banana milkshake for only $3.99.

Halal Crunch is a true find. Stop by and say hello, and bring a big appetite; it's located at 374 Great Neck Road in Great Neck. Call (516) 504-0041, or log on to halalcrunch.com.

By Rich Branciforte

Located farther east in Farmingdale Village, Chiddy's is the go to place for cheesesteaks. Only open a short while, Chiddy's has upped the ante for cheesesteaks throughout the Island. Located opposite Croxley Ale House by the railroad tracks, Chiddy's serves up a impressive selection of cheesesteaks, including The Signature – ribeye steak, onions, peppers, mushrooms, provolone, and “Whiz.” Perhaps you’d like The Squealin' Philly – ribeye steak, applewood amoked bacon, onions, and cheddar cheese. A junior is only $7.95, and a full size is $10.95.

Chiddy's also offers an impressive list of items, including five variations of the humble hot dog including The Jersey Ripper (with a nod to Rutt's Hutt in New Jersey). They also offer breakfast served all day; for dessert, you will want Chiddy’s to try their killer Apple Pie Empanada.

Cheesesteaks, tacos, hot dogs, empanadas, and more: What started as a food truck has evolved into a popular brick and mortar location. They're also open til 2 am Friday and Saturday, considering they're located in the midst of club row on Main Street. Chiddy's Cheesesteaks is located at 191 Main Street in Farmingdale; call (516) 927-8770, or log on to chiddyscheesesteaks.com.

What do you say to that, Mike? Great Neck and Farmingdale are a lot closer than Philly.

Good Times Magazine – November 19 - December 2, 2019 • 7

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET

Holiday Cheer: Great Gifts & Deals For All

You can't have missed it: The holidays are here, and everyone is going all out to bring you good cheer. Good Times has picked out a trio of fun ideas that have come across our desks. We hope you’ll try them out – and check out some of the holiday deals at the many enjoyable restaurants we've reviewed this year as well.

City Winery’s Founding Vino-File Offer: We don't have to tell Good Times readers about City Winery, one of the finest venues in Manhattan for both wine and music. City Winery is moving to Pier 57 (the 15th Street area) with its biggest location, opening in March 2020. It’s noted for its eclectic music performers, making its Coming own wines, and good food at Soon: surprisingly reasonable prices.

The New You can now be a “Founding City Winery Father”: City Winery has a limited time offer to be a VinoFile member at Pier 57. By joining, you can earn extra perks such as VIP ticket upgrades, and limited edition merchandise and wine, all in addition to regular benefits. You also get an invitation to the official grand opening party, which will really be special at this multi-million dollar, small-seat music paradise.

Membership prices range from $200, and you can be a patron, builder, founder, or visionary at different price levels. For more information, write to jgullekson@citywinery.com, and tell them Good Times sent you.

The Southampton Inn’s Holiday Stocking Stuffer: In our own backyard, we enjoy great restaurants and hotels – so what if you combined the two?

The Southampton Inn now offers a special “Holiday Stocking Stuffer,”

2 • Good Times Magazine – December 17 - 30, 2019

By Rich Branciforte

complete with coupons for local shops and deals at the Inn. Incentives include BOGO passes to Southampton Museum and discount coupons for shops. Don't miss out at the excellent food at Claude's Restaurant inside the Inn, featuring a varied menu with reasonable prices, a great Sunday brunch, and happy hours every Friday from 4 to 6 pm featuring half-price drinks and appetizers. Southampton Village at the holidays is beautifully decorated, and everything is within walking distance from the Inn. The Inn also is the place for its “New Year's Eve Gala & Getaway.” For $475, guests stay overnight, and the fun includes a New Year's Eve celebration in the ballroom with a deejay, dinner, dessert, premium open bar, a midnight toast, and a brunch on New Year's Day (overnight guests can extend their stay for $100 per night extra). For those only wishing to attend the Gala only, the price is $125 per adult. For more information: (631) 283-6500.

Flying Embers: Looking for something healthy to drink to counterbalance all that holiday cheer? Flying Embers, an organic hard Kombucha brewed with botanicals and live probiotics, has expanded its distribution to the east coast. Flying Embers comes in six flavors; highlights are Ginger & Oak, Lemon and Orchard, and Ancient Berry.

They’re USDA certified organic, gluten free, vegan, and have zero grams of sugar at 4.5 percent alcohol by volume.

Flying Embers donates one percent of its revenues to firefighters’ charities across the country. The brand was founded by Bill Moses in 2018. For more information, log on to flyingembers.com.

LI BITES

Who's Your (Big) Daddy: Long heralded as one of the finest barbecue and cajun/Creole restaurants on the east coast, we were blissfully unaware of the array of lunch specials and other delicious, tempting events at the always busy eatery – including its popular Sunday “Blues Brunch,” where live music accompanies your Pasta Jambalaya (which is utterly sublime) or Louisiana Brisket Melt (both pictured here).

The food at Big Daddy's is spectacular, offering an array of choices and something for every taste and palate. Bring your appetite as portions are plentiful – as is the vibe, which is constantly upbeat thanks to a stellar bar staff.

Big Daddy's is located at 1 Park Lane in Massapequa; call them at (516) 799-8877 or log on to bigdaddysny.com.

Poppin' Good (For You): It's candy with a difference, and it's now available here: Teenage entrepreneur Alina Morse experienced 60 percent growth with her Zolli Candy Line's expansion from 10,000 stores to 25,000 locations with the addition of top drug store chains CVS and Walgreens.

"The addition of the drug store channel is huge for Zolli,” said the 14-year-old company founder Morse. "We have a rare opportunity to leverage distribution in the leading food, drug, and mass retailers in the USA as we look towards ‘back to school’ this fall.

My team is really working hard to redefine candy and oral care as we drive trial and velocity in the stores where we are currently distributed, continue to expand my product line, and scale for growth as we look at the next few years."

Morse is fresh off the Sweets & Snacks Expo, where she expanded her current line of Zollipops, Zolli Drops, and Zaffi Taffy to include: Zolli Carmelz, Zolli Gumeez, Zolli Beanz, and Zolli Ball Pops. Her products are all-natural treats that are free of the top seven allergens, and help clean your teeth.

It's the top-selling sugar-free candy sold on Amazon and in exports to China, Korea, and France, and counts many of America's largest retailers as sellers of her products, including Walmart and Kroger.

To learn more about these healthy “after-you-eat-treats,” visit ZolliCandy.com.

Candy photo: PR Newswire

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The sign was posted at a location that was previously a diner in Fresh Meadows/Flushing, and it was up for months … and months. Finally, Burgerim's new location at 162-16 Union Turnpike (call them at (718) 969-6100) is up and running, opening its doors with little fanfare (and with a TCBY frozen yogurt stand at its side).

We'll be honest: We had never heard of Burgerim, and had no idea it is a new gourmet burger chain with locations all over the U.S. The California-based compnay has pretty much taken over its home state and Texas, is booming in Florida, and it about to extend its reach into Long Island, with new locations to open in Smithtown, Deer Park, and Commack. As of October, Burgerim could boast of dozens locations around the country and more than 600 franchises sold, according to Franchise Times. Projections forecast that the still-new chain could have literally hundreds of stores by the end of this year.

Yet – have you ever seen a TV ad for Burgerim? Neither have we, and the plot thickens, but in a good way. If the Queens store is any indication, we have a proclamation: Long Island, get ready.

Burgerim is a modern take on fast food burgers, and we believe it will soon rank as a rival to Shake Shack and Five Guys as the best chain hamburgers in America. We couldn't believe it, either – the Burgerim fare is absolutely spectacular.

As for burgers, they are

Hungry, Long Island? Here’s Some Om Nom Nom closer to Shake Shack than Five Guys in feel and presentation; served in smallish packs (“doubles” or “trios”), the burgers are available in a variety of meats, including Beef, Merguez Beef, Dry-aged Beef, or Spanish Beef. There are fish and meatfree options as well as other specialties. It's a three-stage ordering process: Select the double or the trio, choose the type of patty you'd like, and Burgerim: choose how it's prepared Locally & (Classic, Cowboy, Caliente, or Nationally, California-style). Being traditionalBurgerim-Pressive ists, we ordered a double served in the classic style: American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and house sauce, all on fresh potato rolls. After one bite, our first thought was “wow!”; our second was that how much the overall flavor just might surpass Shake Shack – however, Burgerim is a much better value, with the pair of burgers (three-ounce patties) costing only $6.99.

Other stuff we liked: The flat, round, salty fries, the industrial-style and spotlessly clean dining area and interior (in Queens, it’s a blessing), and offerings such as salads and wings. Burgerim even offers “Thank You” discounts for on-duty police, firefighters, and paramedics; chck out their website (burgerim.com) for details.

So, without TV and strictly through word of mouth, Burgerim might be the hottest fast casual restaurant sensation of 2019. Who knew?

Sometimes, simply offering delicious food is all a company needs to gain success. Burgerim? Umm.

LI BITES Photo: Grain bowl courtesy PR Newswire/Panera

More Ummm At IM: We hate to repeat ourselves, but what the hey: A few months ago, we gave a rave to the new BurgerIM location in Flushing – this independent burger chain that's sweeping across the nation also has locations in Fresh Meadows, Deer Park, and Astoria, with likely more coming in the future – and recently, it expanded its menu with new burger and burger-like options.

The new third-pound and quarter-pound options include burgers made with Angus beef, dry-aged beef, “Spanish” beef, Greek lamb, falafel, “Hawaiian” salmon, and crispy and grilled chicken. Just in case those burger trios aren't quite enough for your famished frame of course.

We recently tried the Hawaiian salmon selection, and it was a revelation in that you likely won't find anything like this anywhere else that serves burgers: The quarter-pound salmon patty was topped with red cabbage slaw, ginger vinaigrette, barbecue glaze, and a hearty slice of pineapple. It was hot, fresh, and ridiculous, in a good way – we never thought we'd be able to enjoy healthy fish in a burger joint.

That's because BurgerIM is no joint; it's a new way to enjoy fresh burgers and fast food that's as flavorful as it is unique. Get the scoop at burgerim.com; for the Flushing location, conveniently close to Nassau County on Union Turnpike, call (718) 969-6100.

Panera Goes With The Grain: Panera Bread (locations throughout Long Island and Queens) has a new offering that's just in time for fall: The chain has debuted warm Grain Bowls featuring a medley of whole grains, greens, vvegetables, and lean protein infused with internationally inspired flavors and sauces. The new Baja warm Grain Bowl and Mediterranean warm Grain Bowl are both available with or without chicken.

"With the launch of our Baja and Mediterranean warm Grain Bowls, Panera is at the forefront of bringing ontrend bowls to consumers across America, at scale," said Panera's Dan Wegiel. "Interest in bowls that feature an abundance of nutrientdense, fresh, layered ingredients, lean protein, veggies, grains and flavorful sauces is on the rise. We believe this product is the best example of what we stand for when we say 'good and good for you.' Panera's warm Grain Bowls deliver on consumer demand for options that are both hearty and nutritious, that they can feel good about, without compromise."

For more information and a list of locations, download the Panera app or visit PaneraBread.com.

LI BITES Get Your Fil-A: While many in Nassau County are watching the building construction in Westbury for what's reportedly going to eventually become a huge Chick-fil-A outlet compete with outdoor seating, the chain is already making quite a bit of headway in Long Island. Outlets are already open in Hicksville and Commack, and the November opening of the restaurant in the food court at Roosevelt Field in Garden City has seen hungry eaters line up for the chain's unique variety of sandwiches and sides.

We won't get into the controversy that the owners of this chain have gotten into during the course of the past several years; our fun publication only focuses on, well, fun. In that light: Are the chicken sandwiches at Chick-fil-A everything they are supposed to be – a taste that has seen Manhattanites wrapped around the block to buy one for lunch for years now?

Our recent stop at the Roosevelt Field outlet saw us choose a Spicy

Photos: Zengo courtesy Latin Trends

Chick-fil-A: Long Island’s Suddenly Full Of Cluck

Chicken Sandwich along with the chain's signature Waffle Fries and a Diet Coke. Even if you're a big eater, you'll never need to order more than one Chick-fil-A sandwich – the things are just enormous and exceptionally juicy, seasoned with a most pleasing array of spices. So, yes: Chick-fil-A is worth the trip; we still choose Popeye's as the finest chain chicken of any kind we've ever tasted, but this natinonal phenomenon seems primed to only get bigger. Note: Many Chick-fil-A outlets are closed on Sundays. More information: chick-fil-a.com, or call (516) 743-3636 for information on the new Roosevelt Field location. Look for Valentine’s Day heart-shaped boxes of chicken nuggets (we’re not kidding) at many outlets.

Lust For Latin: We take you now to New York City to experience excellent Latin Fusion cuisine: Zengo, meaning "give and take" in Japanese, is an artful blend of Latin-Asian styles and flavors. Zengo Chef and owner Zengo Richard Sandoval, whose accolades include a Bon Appétit Restaurateur of the Year, James Beard finalist for Outstanding Restauranteur, and Mexico's Toque d'Oro, spins regional ingredients into beautif-ully balanced dishes designed for sharing.

Located downstairs in Zengo, La Biblioteca is a sultry tequila lounge that houses one of the largest collections of more than 400 agavebased spirits. Zengo is located at 622 Third Avenue in New York City; for info and reservations, call (212) 808-8110. – With Latin Trends

LI BITES High On Five Guys: The somewhat upscale burger chain Five Guys (with locations peppered throughout Long Island and now virtually everywhere else) seems to keep running strong thanks to its array of always-fresh burgers and toppings, varied menu (Hot dogs! Shakes!), and service that's always a cut above most fast food restaurants.

Pictured below is a Five Guys hamburger complete with every topping on the menu, and, yes, we tried them all at the same time, on the same burger. If you’re brave enough (get ready): mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, Jalapeño and green peppers, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and A1 Sauce. Feeling brave, we pointed at the sign and said, “all of it, please.” The wide-eyed casher giggled, and in a few minutes, we had an incredibly mega-topped treat.

Was the burger, ordered this way, kind of moist (okay, wet), and hard to hold? Yes. Was it worth it? Good heavens, yes; we'd recommend Photos: Five Guys by Bob Smith; White Castle via PR Newswire

Five Guys: They’re The Top(pings)

cutting back on a topping or two, but this one was worth the once-in-alifetime experience. It was slippery to grasp and we’d recommend about 25 napkins, but we did discover one thing: There’s no such thing as a bad Five Guys burger no matter how you order it.

Five Guys is everywhere; for more information, call (866) 345-GUYS. 3 For $3 At White Castle: White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain with plenty of locations throughout Long Island and Queens, is giving fans even more power to pick their “crave” with the new “3 for $3” value deal. With "Threedom to Choose" (their words, not ours), customers can now mix and match any three sliders out of five tasty varieties for only $3 at restaurants across the country. White Castle also announced the return of the Seafood Crab Cake Slider and Shrimp Nibblers, available at most White Castle restaurants for a limited time.

The “3 for $3” value deal gives customers their choice of any three sliders out of five options for a total price of $3. Customers will have their choice from the Seafood Crab Cake Slider, the Bacon Cheese Slider, the Sausage, Egg and Cheese Waffle Slider, the Fish Slider, or the Chicken Ring Slider. The deal is available for a limited time; like all of White Castle's menu items, these sliders are available for fans anywhere, and at any time.

"Since White Castle served the first slider in 1921, we've been innovating to give our customers the power to choose their Crave at a price that's affordable," said Jamie Richardson of White Castle. "That's why we're excited to offer customers the ‘threedom to choose,’ but it certainly won't be an easy task with such a high-powered lineup of delicious sliders to pick from." More: whitecastle.com.

LI BITES Photos: Red Robin plate by Bob Smith; sllder courtesy White Castle/PR Newswire

Impossible Burger: Red Robin

Impossibly Impressive: There are other companies trying it, but nobody to date, in our estimation, has done what Impossible Foods has done when it comes to hamburgers: It's non-meat Impossible Burger is actually delicious, and well worth tracking down.

By now, you've probably heard all the news about The Impossible Burger as its reach continues to grow at restaurants and restaurant chains throughout the country: In April, White Castle noted its first anniversary offering its Impossible Slider, still going strong at area locations at a price of a scant $1.99. During May, the Little Caesars pizza chain teamed up with Impossible Foods to create The Impossible Surpreme Pizza featuring Impossible Sausage in a test market run in three states. Clearly, there's something about the meat-like vegetable-based Impossible products that works – and, now we can vouch for them as well.

Last fall, we attended one of the final concerts as Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, and as we were leaving, we noticed the food concessions were still open, shocking in and of itself – and then we noticed Impossible Burgers were on the menu. True to Jones Beach’s sorry food form, the burger apparently sat beneath a heat lamp for some time, and its bun was as hard as a rock – but the burger itself was a revelation as it tasted a lot life beef, and it bled when you squeezed, it just like a hamburger would do.

More recently, we decided to try another Impossible Burger, this time at the Red Robin location in Westbury (the less said about the restaurant, the better; check out the perfunctory plate we were delivered that's pictured above – those sides were as lame as they looked; it was like eating in a school White Castle’s Impossible Slider cafeteria). Crummy chain restaurant service aside, it was the Impossible we were interested in, and we wanted a hot one this time. Crummy chain resataurant service included, naturally the burger itself came to us lukewarm – but it still satisfied; juicy, flavorful, and with a texture not unlike ground beef, it proved itself once again to be, for burger fans anyway, pretty close to a miracle on a bun, at least tastewise.

Things to know about the Impossible Burger: Calories and fat-wise, it's reportedly about the same as an actual beef patty; it does have more fiber – but also a lot more sodium; it does have more vitamins and minerals than beef; and some pundits are concerned over GMOs. Others applaud the fact that choosing products such as this are clearly better for the environment as a whole.

Our take: The Impossible Burger really does seem impossible – it's very tasty, indeed. It will be interesting to see what comes in the future, as the company has already modified the recipe, and the company insists it will continue to strive to produce healthier and taster foods in the future. Stay tuned.

LI BITES The Best Jerseys To Collect: The Jersey Mike's submarine sandwich shops (there are area locations in Carle Place, Uniondale, Farmingdale, Bellmore, Freeport, Massapqua Park, Lindenhurse, Deer Park, and Commack) have been a nationwide smash during the past couple of years, and with good reason: The sandwiches served at Mike's rival actual deli fare, and that's an amazing achievement for a fast food chain.

Recently, we tried a simple ham-and-provolone cheese sub (dubbed “American Classic”; there's a myrial of hot and cold choices) at the Jersey Mike's location in Carle Place featuring what the chain desribes as “Mike's Way”: The preparer loads the sub with with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil blend, and red wine vinegar and spices.

Trust us: Ordering a sub this way makes it quite wet, as in 11 napkin wet – but it's a good wet, with the robust, fresh flavors fairly overwhelming the palate. It's one of the most authenic subs in that many

Photos: Jersey Mike’s by Bob Smith; Domino’s via PR Newswire/Domino’s

Jersey Mike’s: Watch Your Dress, But It’s Worth The Mess

used to prepare them this way, which eventually gave way to to today's skimpy sub fare (do we have to state where?). However, it's the sub rolls as Jersey Mike's that really bring it all home – they’re crunchy and soft at the same time, and the fresh-baked flavor is worth the trip all by itself. Yeah, go “Mike’s Way” the next time you visit.

For more information: jerseymikes.com, where you can find phone numbers for all the area locations.

Oh, Domino: They're great in a pinch, and they're only getting bigger: Domino's Pizza, the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, recently opened its 16,000th store in the world, located in upstate in Cheektowaga.

"This is an incredible milestone for Domino's, and I am beyond excited it is happening in Cheektowaga," said Ritch Allison, Domino's president and CEO. "We've grown our total global store count by nearly 4,800 stores in the past five years, and we couldn't be more thrilled to commemorate our 16,000th store in the world, right here in New York." Learn more and order your pies at dominos.com.

Hut's In A Rut: Recently, we published an LI Bites praising the “lunch buffet” at Pizza Hut's Westbury location on Old Country Road – but we now take back the recommendation.

Two unacceptable recent visits found the buffet not even laid out during the usual times it's usually offered – and on a third visit, a server actualy refused to allow us to partake in the buffet because it was “past 2 pm,” even though the buffet area was stocked with food at the time. Forget the drama and order Domino's or your favorite indie pie instead.

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King Of The Road: If anyone has spent any time in Queens, it's a normal sight: A smallish, unassuming food truck sitting by the side of the road. So why is that line of people winding all the way around the block?

It’s because it's the family-run King Souvlaki, where since 1979 their food trucks have become legendary for their Greek specialites to the point of having documentaries filmed about them as well as winning virtually every food award bestowed by area community groups and media. Take it from us – it's worth the trip to enjoy some of the most mouthwatering Greek fare you'll find anywhere (our personal favorites are the “King” Pitas and Plates, which are simply gyros with the works; the tastes are fresh, hot, and beyond satifying. How they get the meat so tender must be a family secret).

King Souvlaki's latest location is in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (84-02 3rd Avenue, (718) 333-5016), which now joins the established, legendary spots in Astoria (31 Street and 31st Avenue, (917) 4161189), Bayside (at Northern Boulevard and Bell Boulevard, (347) 951-8316), and the Manhattan truck (open only during lunch hours, 10 am to 3 pm, at West 55th Street and Broadway, (347) 384-0217). Get more info at kingsouvlakinyc.com, write to kingsouvlaki3131 @gmail.com, or find them on Facebook and Twitter. If you find yourself in Queens or New York City, by all means partake – these stops truly are the reigning king of Greek fare, well worth eating in your car – or bringing home to enjoy a true feast for your family or friends.

More (Burger) Royalty: White Castle is recognizing “National Hamburger Month” (news to us) by offering multiple opportunities throughout May for what the company dubs as “Cravers” to receive free sliders and other steamy menu items. To kick off the month-long promotion, White Castle is also launching its “Capture The Crave” Instagram contest, encouraging fans to share their best White Castle photo on Instagram for the chance to win a year's supply of free sliders. Running now, White Castle is calling for fans to capture their “crave” by sharing photos; a lucky grand prize winner will slide his or her way into free sliders for a year, and 15 more will receive prizes ranging from Visa gift cards and White Castle coupons to Bluetooth speakers, mobile phone camera lenses, and more. Terms and conditions can be found at capturethecrave.com. More: whitecastle.com.

Food photos courtesy respective restaurants and organziations; White Castle kid @grievy.nyc

LI BITES Photo: KFC Pez courtesy PR Newsfoto

Gallo: Just Great

Gallo's Golden: Patchogue is known for its array of outstanding eateries, but even among the regular stops in the area, we were so pleasantly surprised by the service and sumptuous fare at Gallo Restaurant (3 East Main Street; (631) 475-4667), which features cuisine served with authentic Columbian flavors and style.

In business since 2002, Gallo offers not only a vast menu of traditional Columbian favorites, but a more moderated children's menu as well as appetizers and sandwiches that will serve any palate well – but, oh, the Columbian food; the dishes range from spicy to sweet to indescribable. Example: We enjoyed a Pechuga De Pollo Empanizado A La Criolla (a Creole-breaded chicken breast), a house speciality that offered a merging of flavors – spices, cheeses, onions, and more – that we’re sure you won't duplicate anywhere else.

Gallo is a vast space with a catering hall on its second floor, making this is perfect spot for everything from special family events to a quick lunch that's far from the usual workaday fare. On the way out, be sure to grab a bottle of Gallo's own Aji, a green sauce and marinade that adds just the right touch of Columbia flair to virtually any dish. In short: Gallo's got it goin' on.

The Colonel's Always Ahead: Well, sort of: Kentucky Fried Chicken (all over Long Island) has partnered with pop culture collectibles company Funko to pay homage to KFC's founder once again.

This time, they have added Pez to the partnership with a limited-edition Pop! PEZ Colonel Sanders candy dispenser, featuring his famous white hair and signature glasses. As KFC puts it: “The founding father of KFC's world-famous fried chicken might not be willing to reveal his secret recipe, but if you're nice, he might share a sweet PEZ treat.”

The collectible Colonel Sanders Pop! Pez dispenser costs $5.99, and is available via Amazon.com (pre-order were taken for its November 30 release date) and will also be available at select retailers nationwide, including Barnes & Noble, for a limited time (and limited quantities; prices may vary, with tax extra).

"It's not a savory bucket of fried chicken, yet the new Colonel Sanders Pop! PEZ is a sweet addition to our line of ad icons, and we're thrilled to have him join the Pop! PEZ family," said Molly Hartney, Funko chief marketing officer. Don't scoff: Funko and KFC released a limited-edition Colonel Sanders Pop! Funko figurine earlier this year that sold out in the Funko Shop in just 11 minutes.

Learn more: funko.com and kfc.com.

LI BITES Photo: Wendy’s salad PR Newsfoto/Wendy’s

Luscious Luigi's: It might be a tad hard to spot, tucked away as it is in the midst of the strip shopping center at 526 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola, but it's well worth the seeking out: Luigi's Pizzeria remains a fine choice amonge local pizza places, as its huge seating area, expansive menu, and array of pizza specializes makes it a Nassau County favorite (there is also a Luigi's location in Setauket).

It's the array of pizza styles that's made us fans. Walk in any time, and you'll be dazzled as your eyes hit the varities: The Greek Pizza. The outstanding Brooklyn Pizza (a slice is a meal, trust us).

Buffalo Chicken. Alla Vodka. The Boone. Chicken Bacon Ranch.

And on, and on. All of the specialty pizzas are available by the hearty slice, so bring an appetite when you stop by.

Luigi's is located in the same location as Harmon, Chipotle, and Panera Bread in Mineola; for more information, call (516) 294-7400 or log on to icraveluigis.com.

Wendy's Ready For Summer: Yeah, we miss Red, too; our fantasy of a beautiful young woman actually encouraging us to gulp down burgers and fries like gluttons still lingers.

All types of lust aside, there’s food news here: Wendy's Berry Burst Chicken Salad is back for an encore, returning for this summer. Featuring strawberries, blueberries, and crumbled feta cheese on a bed of lettuce, each salad is topped with grilled all-white meat chicken breast and toasted almonds, and accompanied

by Marzetti Simply Dressed Raspberry Vinaigrette. To ensure the freshest, juiciest berries during the peak of harvest, this summer salad is making a seasonal appearance, available now through Labor Day. "We know salad fans value fresh, quality ingredients, and great-tasting flavor, and neither of these should be sacrificed just because you're eating on-the-run," said Carl Loredo, Vice President, Brand and Advertising for Wendy's. "That's why Wendy's does salads better than anyone in the business. So, when you're craving a salad loaded with fresh produce and seasonal flavors – Berry Burst has you covered."

It’s is available for a limited time, sold in a full-size for $6.89 and a half-size for $4.89. More: Log on to wendys.com, or find the chain all over social media.

LI BITES Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In Style: Here are three great places for some truly authentic fare to take in on Sunday, May 5 – Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862:

Photos courtesy area restaurants

Del Fuego Restaurant (above; locations in Babylon, Patchogue, East Northport, and St. James): This popular Tex-Mex restaurant didn't become a beloved chain by accident – its Mexican fare is heralded by both food review sites and dining guides all over the US. For Babylon: (631) 620-3700; for St. James: (631) 963-6900; for Patchogue: (631) 569-5400; for East Northport: (631) 651-9393; log on to delfuegorestaurant.com, or find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Salsa Salsa (at right; Smithtown, Bayport, Port Jefferson): This is way more than a burrito bar – but, hey, we adore The Piggy Burrito at these bustling restaurants, which reveal authentic Mexican tradition with every lusicous bite. For Port Jefferson: (631) 473-9700; for Bayport: (631) 4196464; for Smithtown: (631) 360-8080; log on to salsasalsa.com, or find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Little Mexico (below, Westbury): Don't be put off by the location: While Post Avenue isn't exactly Restaurant Row, this small Mexican restauarant is about as authentic as it gets. LM has it all, from lunch and light fare to sumptuous entrees to a fullscale feast with all the trimmings.

The full bar only adds to the revelry. Contact them at littlemexicorestaurantbar.com or (516) 333-2038; they're on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and even YouTube; the location is 280 Post Avenue in Westbury.

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A Vacation For Your Taste Buds: Nothing better than a nice surprise: We recently were doing some shopping in Huntington when we noticed a new location for Punta Cana Dominican Grill at 376 New York Avenue (call them at (631) 546-1445); their previous outlet, still bustling, is at 162 Post Avenue in Westbury (call them at (516) 280-4099).

Clean as a whistle with an attentive staff and a mouth-watering selection of tasty fast food prepared right before your eyes, we're dubbing Punta Cana as Long Island's best empanadas right off the bat and without reservation. In fact, the combo platter – not two but three empanadas with rice, beans, and your choices of two sauces (from among pink (great with fried items), red (mild), and green (spicy) – is one of the best bargains we can think of at just $9.50. Light and crispy but not greasy, these empanadas come in a mind-boggling array of flavors: Beef, white cheeses, chicken, chicken fajita, pepperoni pizza, cheeseburger (yeah, we scoffed, too, but it's killer), and … get ready … Nutella banana, a perfect dessert choice, sprinked with powdered sugar.

We also enjoyed a perfect grilled chicken salad with avacado from the varied salad bowl menu, and it was sublime.

The menu just goes on, all at affordable prices: Cana bowls; really authentic Mofongo; tons of sides such as bean salads, veggies, fries, fried yuca, potato salad, and on the list goes; an array of juices and smoothies; and more. The best part might even have been the service, where an enthusiastic young staff made sure we were happy with our meals, and made us glad we ventured inside.

Punta Cana also has a website where you can advance order online (eatpuntacana.com), and, as is the modern way, you can follow them on socal media at Facebook and Instagram. Again, this was a nice surprise – but it won't be surprising at all if we become regulars there from this point on, as every bite at Punta Cana is something to savor.

LI BITES A Shah Thing: It's always nice to discover a good place to eat when it's a total surprise – and that's exactly what happened with us the first time we tried Shah's Halal Food in New Hyde Park (located at 3334 Hillside Avenue; (516) 279-4422; there’s also a location at 320 South Broadway in Hicksville). Queens is best noted for its Halal food, but this relatively new Long Island spot is every bit the equal of Queens restaurants, merging a fast food style with expertly prepared Halal fare and more.

One day, we stopped in New Hyde Park to get a slice at a pizzeria located in the same strip shopping center where Shah's is

Photos: Firehouse Sub courtesy FirehouseSubs/PR Newswire

located – only to find the pizza joint boarded up, out of business. Rather than drive someplace else, we tried Shah's on the corner of the same building, and it won’t be the last time. Shah's features a small yet just-right menu featuring gyros, kebabs, salads, fish, nuggets, wings, and more. Shah’s: A First-Rate Gyro Plate However, the highlight of any Helal spot is usually gyros, and the one served here is easily the equal of our favorite New York City stand – the lamb gets a rousing hand. The sauces really make the meal; choose any one or try all of them: hot, white, BBQ, green chili chutney, and more are available, and they are a taste sensation every time.

Possibly the best thing about Shah's is its serving system; it's sort of like a Subway for Halal food. Pick out whatever you like on your salad or gyro, and the outstanding staff always makes it just right, right before your eyes. For something different than that usual pizza, burgers, or chicken, Shah's Halal Food is more than just an alternative: It might become your favorite fast food choice. It's also amazingly modern: Shah's even has its own app (!), and you can order food online as well.

Call The Firehouse: To kick off the Firehouse Subs chain’s 25th anniversary year comes the launch of the The Spicy Cajun Chicken Sub. Available now for a limited time in all U.S. and Puerto Rico restaurants (including its Elmhurst location), this sub is a serving of Cajun-seasoned grilled chicken breast with cherry peppers, melted Pepper Jack cheese, and house-made Cajun mayo, served hot on Firehouse Subs' signature toasted sub roll, available in white or wheat. It's priced at $5.55 (medium sized) for a limited time only; log on to firehousesubs.com or learn more, or call (718) 683-5703.

They’re Hot: Firehouse Subs

LI BITES Photo: Red Robin courtesy PR Newsfoto/Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.

The Shed: Ultimate Comfort Get In The Shed: Word of mouth led us to The Shed in Huntington, the relatively new American food restaurant that's usually quite busy at all times – and rightfully so. This delightfully old-fashioned, rustic comfort food eatery offers brunches, sandwiches (the burgers and chicken sandwiches, not to mention the fries, are utterly sublime), entrees, breakfast favorites, salads and bowls (the “Shed Bowl” is pictured here), and much more. Every dish is made from scratch, and ingredients are sourced locally when possible, and it shows – the food is utterly delicious, portions are plentiful, and fans will gladly wait for a table in this hip merger of old and new – the restaurant looks traditional, but utilizes an at-the-table payment system that's about as modern as it gets. The Shed is at 54 New Street in Huntington; call them at (631) 385-7433, or log on to intheshed.com.

News from The Shed: A second Shed location will soon open in West Sayville.

Red Robin Flies High: Now through January 26, guests at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews (locations throughout Long Island) can satisfy their burger cravings with the new French Onion Ringer, a flavor-packed burger with Swiss cheese, crispy onion straws, French Onion spread, and tomatoes on a melted provolone-capped onion bun, topped off with three golden-fried onion rings. Red Robin is also bringing back a fan favorite, the El Ranchero Burger, which is topped with American cheese, candied bacon, crispy onion straws, house-made jalapeño ranch, barbecue ketchup, tomatoes and shredded romaine.

"At Red Robin, we are excited to introduce these new, unique burgers with ingredients that guests can only experience at our restaurants," said Jonathan Muhtar, executive vice president and chief concept officer at Red Robin. "From the flavorful French Onion Ringer and El Ranchero Burger to the spicy Nashville Hot Boneless Wings, there's something craveable for every guest's wish list at Red Robin."

Beyond Red Robin's latest burger additions, the casual dining chain is bringing back its Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites for a limited time. For more information about the new editions and limited-time offerings or to find the nearest Red Robin restaurant, visit redrobin.com.

LI BITES Photo: Taco Bell courtesy Taco Bell/PR Newsfoto

Venezia: A Nice Slice

New To New Hyde Park: Other pizzerias have been in this location before this spot opened a few months ago, but now we welcome Venezia Pizzeria & Restaurant to New Hyde Park (3338 Hillside Avenue; (516) 743-9511). A clean and comfortable seating area welcomes newbies to try a slice of their fresh, hot pizza, or dishes from their menu: Seafood specialites, pastas, heroes, salads and wraps, meat dishes, appetizers (Chicken wings! Mozzarella!), and more. This is a most welcome opening, as there's not a lot of pizza choices in this area of New Hyde Park; fans who have found it since its opening rave about the service and selection. Venezia offers take out and delivery (free for orders of $10 or more); the restaurant can also provide catering for functions and parties of any size. Venezia is open from 11 am to 10 every day of the week.

Gourmet Gamers: Taco Bell and Xbox have once again joined forces to create a food and gaming experience: Fans who get Taco Bell’s Double Chalupa Box have the chance to win an Xbox One X Eclipse Limited Edition Bundle – prizes will be awarded every 10

Taco Bell: Game On

minutes on average. As this year’s partnership turns everyone that places an order online or in-app into a gamer, fans will need their own Taco Bell “gamertag” to play. Fans can create their own with the “What’s Your Taco Bell Gamertag?” chart. The winning prize bundle gives fans everything they need to become the ultimate gamer: an Xbox One X Eclipse Limited Edition console with Taco Bell's iconic ring at startup, the brand-new Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, and a six-month Game Pass Ultimate membership. Of course, fans who get the Double Chalupa box also get to chow down on the Double Chalupa, an oversized Chalupa shell filled with a double portion of seasoned beef (as compared to the Chalupa supreme), shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, three cheese blend, reduced-fat sour cream and nacho cheese sauce.

See full terms for the online offer at tacobellxboxappoffer.com.

For rules: tacobell.com/xbox/rules.

LI BITES

Old School Makes Us Drool: We absoutely adore a good diner – one of the more sobering things about modern times is that there always seems to be less of them – but a classic one is The Williston Townhouse Diner in Williston Park. An important part of the fabric of the New Hyde Park area, this clean and friendly place offers a huge menu of sandwiches, entrees, snacks, desserts, and, of course, breakfast anytime you want it. Yeah, it's comfort food, and it's comforting to see this outstanding area diner continuing to be exceptionally popular. Learn more: (516) 746-2539 or willistonparkdiner.com; it's located at 112 Hillside Avenue.

Oooey, Gooey In Lake Grove: Melt Shop, the pioneer of the melted sandwich movement, recently took part in its grand opening of its newest location inside Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove.

Located at 313 Smith Haven Mall, the restaurant opened on September 7 and marks the brand’s 10th location in Melt Shop’s home state of New York, and 17th nationwide.

“Our brand has created a loyal following within our home state and we’re excited to keep the momentum going,” said Spencer Rubin, founder and CEO of Melt Shop. “Our melted sandwiches have become a staple in the communities we serve, and we can’t wait to expand Melt Shop’s unique culinary experience to Lake Grove.”

Founded in 2011 in New York City, Melt Shop’s menu is full of melts, house-made chicken tenders, tots, salads, shakes, and more, including its popular Fried Chicken Melt topped with pepper jack cheese, red cabbage slaw, and “Melt Sauce” on country white bread.

To further drive its ongoing growth, the brand is seeking well-capitalized multi-unit franchisees in New York, the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions, as well as in Florida, who are entrepreneurial, have a strong knowledge of their markets, and are excited to be a part of a culinary experience unmatched in the melted sandwich space.

For more information about ownership opportunities with Melt Shop, contact Josh Morgan, COO of Melt Shop, at partners@meltshop.com, or visit meltshopfranchise.com.

Melt Shop at Smith Haven Mall is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 9:30 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm.

For more information, visit meltshop.com or call (631) 236-9120.

Follow Melt Shop on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Photos: Melt Shop sandwiches courtesy Melt Shop