In a slap that could make Park Slope foodies gag on their locally sourced greens, execs at national diner chain Denny’s have decided the quintessential Brooklyn meal is spaghetti and meatballs.
But give Denny’s some credit for trying to get it right.
The chain this week tried hitting up one of the borough’s oldest and most beloved Italian eateries — 108-year-old Ferdinando’s Focacceria in Carroll Gardens — for pointers on how to improve its new menu item.
“They wanted to know how I make my spaghetti and meatballs. They wanted me to give up my recipe,” owner Frank Buffa told The Post yesterday.
Buffa, who was called by a Denny’s rep Tuesday, said he told the chain he “isn’t giving up” any of his family’s secret recipes without being paid — and also getting assurances that Denny’s would offer a meal similar to Ferdinando’s high culinary standards.
Denny’s — which has 1,680 restaurants nationwide but none in the Big Apple — began offering “Brooklyn Spaghetti and Meatballs” on June 5 as a special menu item.
Company brass said the decision was based on customer feedback and that the new menu item could be offered permanently if it’s successful.
“So New York, so Italian,” raves its menu description. “Three seasoned meatballs atop a bed of pasta covered in meaty tomato sauce. Served with a side of Parmesan cheese and garlic toast. Magnifico.”
The price: $8.69.
At Ferdinando’s, the same meal goes for $15, but as Buffa points out, “it’s all about the ingredients.”
“We use three types of meat in our meatballs, only the best pasta, oil and [other] ingredients,” he said. “Everything’s fresh and homemade, so it is going to cost more.
“You can use cheap, greasy beef like at White Castle if you want to charge less, or you use the best meat.”
Denny’s spokeswoman Rebecca Lynch said she was unaware the company had reached out to Ferdinando’s. She called Denny’s new meal an “Americanized version of a traditional Italian dish” and that the company agreed “Brooklyn did the best spaghetti and meatballs, so what better place to attribute it to?”
Borough President Marty Markowitz said if anyone really wants to “get a taste” of Brooklyn they need to visit — not rely on Denny’s.
“We’re flattered anytime the name ‘Brooklyn’ is used, but if you want truly authentic Italian food, you need to visit Brooklyn’s ‘mom and pop’ family-style eateries, our world-famous pizzerias, or one of our cutting-edge restaurants serving up Italian fare with a ‘twist,’” the Beep said.