Smokin Al's, Vincent's Clam Bar Lead New Coliseum Food Venues

Eight local food purveyors have been chosen as the signature members of Long Island Taste, the culinary program at The New Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. These restaurants mark the first partners of the program, with more participants to be announced soon.

The restaurants will brand the venue’s concession windows, and will feature famous local flavors ranging from new and buzz-worthy restaurants, to traditional institutions that are synonymous with Long Island.

“The New Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented By NYCB will include a variety of local culinary delights,” said Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano. “I thank Nassau Events Center for keeping its pledge to partner with local business owners who will be serving food and beverages in the Coliseum when it reopens on April 5th.”

Long Island Taste is modeled after BrooklynTaste, the Barclays Center’s renowned culinary platform. Levy Restaurants, extending its partnership with Barclays Center, is the food and beverage partner at the Coliseum. Throughout the selection process, Levy actively explored Long Island end-to-end, testing restaurants and speaking with prospective vendors to obtain the area’s best and most iconic food offerings.

The eight vendors that will have their own concession stands, as well as some of the items that will be served, are:

• Prime Food Distributor (PFD) will have the window name Grilled by PFD’s and serve its signature Coliseum Burger, a nod to a New York standard. PFD is a family owned and operated business in Port Washington that guarantees an exceptional prime cut.
• Greekrave, a Deer Park favorite, will offer Mediterranean delicacies, such as its Krave Burger, traditional marinated lamb and beef gyro, and its signature Greek nachos with pita chips.
• Smokin Al’s, a Long Island BBQ tradition, will serve its famous smoked meats, including Smokin’ Al's Pulled Pork and Chopped Brisket Sandwiches with Al's Cole Slaw.
• Roast Sandwich House, which is famous for its all-natural, whole-roasted meats cooked in-house, will offer its Buffalo Roasted Chicken sandwich with Gorgonzola Spread.
• Cabo, A Taste of Mexico’s Pollo Al Pastor Tacos will hit the spot for south of the border food fans.
• Nathan’s Famous, the official hot dog and french fry of the Coliseum, will sell its famous Nathan's original all-beef hot dog, Nathan’s Jalapeno and Cheddar Sausage, and crinkle cut fries topped with chili and cheese.
• Umberto's, founded in New Hyde Park in 1965, will serve its signature Margherita Personal Pie, which has been featured on Food Network’s "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."
• Vincent’s Clam Bar, whose Carle Place location is an offshoot from the original Little Italy restaurant that opened in 1904, will serve its Vincent's Signature Meatball Pizza Burger.

“Long Island’s cuisine is a hidden gem and we’re excited to spotlight it through the Long Island Taste program,” said Marco Fabozzi, vice president of hospitality strategy for Levy Restaurants. “By bringing the surrounding rich flavors to all of our guests, we can provide greater exposure for local restaurants and bolster the area economy.”

Photo: Associated Press/Frank Eltman