The world’s top tennis players are heading to Flushing, hungry to win the US Open, which starts Monday.
During the 15 days and nights from Aug. 25 through Sep. 8, fans will also be hungry, packing the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center not only to enjoy the games of Serena Williams and Roger Federer, but also to pig out — on more than 225,000 hamburgers and hot dogs, 7½ tons of seafood and 7,000 pounds of tennis-ball cookies.
All that food can be as overwhelming as facing a 100 mph slam from Maria Sharapova, so here’s a sneak peek at what hungry fans can look for. Among the new offerings is the Morris Grilled Cheese Truck — the only food truck at the Open. The melty sandwiches, with a number of artisanal cheese and bread options, include the Classic (cheddar and New Hampshire Landaff, $10) and the Delicate (truffle cheese and caramelized shallots, $13).
And former pro tennis player Richard Sandoval is making his first US Open appearance as a restaurateur. His Manhattan eatery Maya is setting up a stand in Queens, serving steak tacos with cilantro, onion and salsa roja; chicken tacos with chipotle tomatoes; and carnitas tacos with salsa habanero ($6 to $15).
“Being a former tennis player, I enjoy being around the sport as much as I can,” says Sandoval. “It’s good to see a lot of players I played with, coaches. It’s an amazing experience. Tennis, food, wine. How can you go wrong?”
Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors is setting up shop for tennis-loving carnivores, with steak sandwiches, filet mignon sammies, meatball heroes and Italian sausage hoagies ($10 to $15).
As usual at the annual tennis extravaganza, the buttery lobster roll ($17.50), which always gets raves, is available at the Liberty Pier Seafood Co., one of 15 casual spots at the Food Village, across from Arthur Ashe Stadium. Among the other choices are Carnegie Deli (sky-high pastrami sandwiches), Hill Country Barbecue (chicken sandwich, ribs), Franks & Fries (just what it sounds like), Glatt Kosher Cart and Fire & Spice (vegan and vegetarian Jamaican food). Prices range from $6 to $15.
“It’s not necessarily all sandwich items at the Open. There is also fine dining,” says David Burke, who’s bringing his American food to Champions Bar & Grill, highlighted by his Bacon on a Clothes Line — strips of candied bacon glazed in maple and topped with black pepper hanging by clothespins ($18).
Chef Masaharu Morimoto is making sushi for the Aces wine and sushi bar (entrees from $19), which also has vegetarian options on the menu, such as organic kale salad (with cheese, pine nuts and vegetables, $14). US Open honchos recommend reservations for Champions and Aces (718-393-1933).
Fans are sure to get thirsty watching the top players sweat it out on the courts. Head to the easygoing Heineken House, above the Food Village, for the new Strongbow Gold Apple Hard Cider, or to the Moët & Chandon Terrace, which has a full-service bar, plenty of Champagne and outdoor seating options. Back at Aces, enjoy the signature drink of the Open: Grey Goose’s Honey Deuce, a mixture of vodka, raspberry liqueur and honeydew shaped to look like mini-tennis balls ($15).
And for dessert, we’re recommending the Cowboy Pie Cup (dark chocolate, pecans, butterscotch) at Hill Country Barbecue ($6.50).
Sandoval says his transition from tennis to cooking was easy. “There were a lot of similarities to when I was a line cook; the adrenaline rush, it gets busy and the tickets start cranking and you’re cooking. It’s almost like when you’re in that kitchen, you are in that zone where food is flowing and everything is perfect. It is very similar to playing in tournaments.”
Sandoval owns more than 40 restaurants, and played with and against tennis pros such as Scott Davis and Lindsay Davenport in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Long an admirer of players like Björn Borg, John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, Sandoval offers his championship pick for this year’s men’s tournament.
“Novak [Djokovic], I think, has the best chance,” he says. “Federer got a great draw and he did well recently. He’s on a good track right now. So there’s a good chance of seeing both of them in the final.”
Burke is also a tennis fan.
“I like tennis, I don’t play much, but I love the venue,” he says. “It’s exciting. It’s a great way to wrap up the summer.” And get a bite to eat, too.