More than 700,000 people will head to Flushing Meadows the next two weeks to watch a little tennis, but you can bet they’ll be hungry, too. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to choose from on the menu.
Jim Abbey is in his seventh year overseeing culinary operations at the U.S. Open, and he provided some insight on the menu and several of his favorite dishes.
“Variety is a very important aspect, and having international flavors,” Abbey said. “About 25 percent of our guests come worldwide. So we want to feature that, and we feature that with local ingredients.”
The U.S. Open Food Village is where the variety can be seen. It is a global showcase of cuisine, including Indian (New Delhi Spice, $10), Mexican (Fresca Mexicana, $10), and Italian (Pizza Pasta, $10), just to name a few. For those looking for seafood, the Lobster Roll is a fan favorite (Fulton’s Seafood Stand, $12-20), and you can’t go wrong with a half-pound burger at Classic Burger ($8). Southern Barbeque ($10-12) is the place for brisket or ribs, and for those with a sweet tooth, head to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop ($5-10).
If you have tickets in box seats or luxury suites, Aces and Champions restaurants are places you should check out. They are both located on the Club level in Arthur Ashe Stadium between Gates 3 and 4. Aces features seafood, including sushi, salmon and bass, while Champions has burgers, and steaks, including new items Beef Carpaccio and Ribeye. Price range: $25-55.
“This is the time of year where the wild stripe bass in Montauk are running. That’s certainly my favorite fish dish,” Abbey said. “Also, I love the salmon and Murray’s chicken.”
Other restaurants on the grounds include Mojito (Latin cuisine, $15-30), Patio Café (sandwiches, burgers, salads, $20-25), Stonyfield Café (organic, $10) and Heineken Red Star Café ($15). All four are available to all ticket holders.