Updated February 2024
No, you dont need new contacts. You have reached Eating With Me, and yes, I’m writing about the foodie desert Island of Staten. But how do I do it without offending 499,996 residents and the entire state of NJ. Almost impossible for someone who spends much of his eating time in Brooklyn and Manhattan. But I do need to eat in Staten Island on occasion, and some gems do exist. This will not be one of those marathon posts because a) I dont really have much time today, and b) Its Staten Island!
The best way to examine the cuisine of Staten Island is to look at the map. It is almost entirely attached to New Jersey, and a long bridge away (#16 longest in the world) from the rest of New York. It looks and feels like NJ in more ways than one. In fact I’m pretty sure the term “bridge and tunnel people”, a term now used in other parts of the US started in Staten Island. Staten Island is first and foremost a suburb with mostly suburb food.
When you ask 100 Staten Islanders what’s good on the island, you’ll hear 115 (including some opinionated extras who happened to be in the area) saying its pizza and “Eyetalian”. Zagat, Eater and other online publications tend to agree when you Google Best of Staten Island. Its essentially one giant Italian/pizza fest. They are not exactly wrong, but not quite correct either. Lets jump right in…
Pizza – Yes, it is very good overall. Joe & Pats is a local legend for good reason and one of our favorites. So is Giove on New Dorp. Staten Islanders swear by Lee’s Tavern and its bar pizza. In fact Lee’s Tavern created an entire category for pizza (bar pizza) but not a destination pizza by any means. Perhaps the most underrated pie in SI comes from Nonna’s in Great Kills. Plenty of solid options all over the Island, but today not quite in line with the brilliance of Manhattan and Brooklyn. These days you can even have a taste of SI in Manhattan through Rubirosa (Joe & Pats cousin), Denino’s in Greenwich Village, and Joe & Pat’s of Staten Island in East Village.
Italian – Pass. Its essentially one giant “Little Italy”, red sauce orgy. Nothing really wrong with that, as many of them are actually pretty good at what they do like Piccolino on Amboy and Brother’s as a casual takeout. But SI still doesnt really have any sort of regional Italian-Italian cooking. Enoteca Maria is probably the closest and the only ones I would consider.
Mexican – Taqueria el gallo azteca in St George is not only the best on the island, but some of the best tacos I’ve had in NYC. You can combine it with New Asha nearby for a mini best of SI food crawl. Other than that there’s not much really. We usually go to Sunset Park but if we opt to stay on the island, Sofia’s Taqueria on Amboy is good for what it is
Sri Lankan – This is where things start to get interesting, and perhaps the only reason to stay more than 5 minutes when you take that ferry. You got Lakruwana (like a Sri Lankan museum) doing their thing in the far north, though my favorite ferry area joint these days is New Asha as a quick lunch and Sagara Food City for takeout, mainly for their excellent Kottu Roti. My overall favorite Sri Lankan in Staten Island these days is Randiwa on Richmond ave. Chef/owner used to own San Rasa when it was at the old location. We go for the Mulligatawny soup, Lamb Curry with Hoppers, Lamprais, Deviled dishes, Chicken Biryani, and Kottu.
Asian – Huge improvement since 2018 when I wrote this originally. For Thai, Chang Noi Thai near the ferry is excellent. Family owned Phil-Am Kusina closer to the bridge is the best and possibly only Filipino. Good Sisig, and even better oxtail. Ohkami Ramen is the closest you’ll get to Manhattan Ramen. We go here almost monthly for the Spicy Paitan. Banhmigos on Hylan has the best Bahn mi, especially the sick Short Rib. No good Chinese still as we still go to Sunset Park Brooklyn every time we crave balder flavors, though East Pacific in the SI Mall is fine for NY Chinese. Ocean Sushi is our go to for acceptable cheap Sushi
American/New American – The Richmond is reliable for a Manhattan type meal if you dont want to leave the island. There are other places like it that come and go, but this is the only place I recommend
Turkish – Over the years this has become one of the strengths. The island is saturated with all sorts of great Turkish, and more keep opening. For us its Laila especially with groups and parties, and Sahara Mediterranean Grill for more casual events
Indian – Still lacking. Taste of India II is fine if you dont want to travel far. But best bet is still Edison Mejwaani, Chef’s Table), Brooklyn (Indian Table) or Manhattan for Indian
That’s all I got. Many others I’ve been are not worth mentioning. And its entirely possible I’m missing some gems here, so let me know if I do
Eating With Ziggy 