Bites Nearby: Ben's Best

Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer living for most New Yorkers. Public beaches and pools are open, the barbecue becomes a way of life, and the great outdoors starts calling.

With this in mind, the Bites Nearby column took a comfortable, warm-weather stroll to Rego Park to find out about the catering platters, barbecue meats and other culinary fun at Ben’s Best at 96-40 Queens Blvd.

Part restaurant, part delicatessen and part caterers, Ben’s Best has more food than one can imagine, both in portion and selection. For example, the sandwiches (hot corned beef, beef tongue, brisket of beef, chopped liver, etc.) are advertised as “overstuffed,” while the omelets have three eggs. (Check out the corned beef or pastrami with eggs, served pancakes style with French fries and pickle for $11.50.)

There are more than 20 celebrity sandwiches, which are described as “man-sized.” The Ben’s Very Super Spectacular combines corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, turkey and salami on a club roll, garnished with lettuce, tomato and hot pepper ($19.95). The Dr. Ruth Westheimer features brisket of beef, breast of turkey, lettuce and tomato with Russian dressing ($14.95), while the Congressman Weiner has roast beef and Bermuda onion for $10.75. (The non-partisan Bites Nearby column does not know if this item would change if Weiner were to be elected mayor.)

Even local businesses have sandwiches. The Bed, Bath and Beyond offers rolled beef, turkey, corned beef, sweet pepper and cole slaw for $14.95. The Circuit City is turkey, salami, sweet pepper and cole slaw ($14.25). The Sterling Optical Special features open-faced sliced breast with chopped liver ($13.75).

Entrees are served a la carte. The Old Fashioned Boiled Beef Flanken in the Pot, chicken soup, noodles, fresh carrots, Matzo ball and kreplach, costs $21.50. The Chicken Fricassee Casserole on a bed of rice is listed at $16.25. The Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (two per serving) include freshly chopped meat and rice, carrots and pea with pan roast potatoes ($16.25.) The seafood menu includes Broiled Salmon ($19.50) and Broiled Filet of Fresh Flounder ($17.95).

Patrons who are looking for something less deli-like have many choices, too. Salad platters run from $11.25 to $15.75 and include Chopper Liver, Tuna Fish Surprise, Chicken Salad-Tomato Surprise and Chilled Lettuce and Ripe Tomatoes, Green Pepper, Olives and Cucumbers.

There is also a Dieters Delights section with such entrees as white meat turkey (four ounces) served on a bed of crisp lettuce and tomato ($9.45) and tuna or chicken salad served on a bed of crisp lettuce and tomato for the same price.

In the Something Different category, Ben’s Best has its own Pu-Pu Platter, derma, stuffed cabbage, potted meat balls and a special treat selected by the chef for $14.95. Another item, Ben’s Famous Batter Dipped Fried Chicken (in a basket) costs $10.95.

If the air conditioning is too high in your car, stop in for a hot open-faced sandwich. The options include turkey, roast beef, baked breast of beef, beef tongue and sliced steak and they all include French fries, cole slaw and pickles.

Of course, there is also the deli section, and patrons can buy corned beef, pastrami, rolled beef, bologna, chicken salad, tuna salad and other meats by the pound.

In terms of catering, Ben’s Best has a special menu and a catering manager. Items include meat platters, cocktail sandwich trays, chopped liver molds, decorated fruit platters, fish platters, heroes by the foot, hot dishes and roast turkey artfully carved and returned to the frame.

Address: 96-40 Queens Boulevard; Phone: 718-897-1700.

Hours: open every day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Prices: take out special is $16.50, entrees and sandwiches begin at as little as $5.75 and top off at $23.95. Deli meats run from bologna and salami ($12.50 per pound) to tongue ($34 per pound.)