Merrick's Super Bowl Hot Spots

You've waited for it. That one hallowed day when it's okay to double dip, order extra cheese and slather everything in creamy ranch dressing. The day when pig-skins and potato skins collide, flat-screens ignite and the big game provides four quarters worth of excuses to ditch your diet. 

Yes, the Super Bowl is finally here and while the Jets are out, the big question remains: Do you have a game plan? Forget the field, we're talking festive food, half-time snacks, something to chow down with a cold one or six. 

If not, don't fear. Whether couch bound, tailgating out or hosting the entire team, Merrick earns extra points for its diverse array of dining options. From winning wings to pizza that's sure to score plenty of points and even some supremely sumptuous subs; here's how to eat, drink and get down.

Always a favorite, what SuperBowl party is complete without a proper plate of Buffalo wings? But, if you can't make it to Buffalo's Anchor Bar (the hallowed birthplace of the wing) for this game-day staple, Paddy Power in Merrick is a close second. Known for pub-grub staples, their menu includes the usual starters: like chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks and potato skins. But it's their mouth-watering wings that keep us (and everyone else) coming back. Whether you like them teriyaki, bar-be-que or hot, their wings are always on point-crisp and tender with just the right amount of bite. 

Sure, Domino's will be there in 30 minutes, but after one bite of their cardboard crust and stale sauce, you'll be regretting your decision. So forget their way and hit La Piazza instead.

Slicing up Italian favorites like your grandmother used to make, La Piazza is known for authentic brick oven style pies that range from the simple Margherita to the house speciality, a belly-bursting combination of fresh sausage, meatballs, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives, and of course extra cheese. For something a little easier on the waist line try their virtuous Tossed Salad pizza with low-fat mozzarella cheese and fresh veggies. 

Beans or no beans, mild versus or scalding, ground beef or chuck, chili is one of those things that's always right. But around here, no chili is more righteous than that ladled out at the Pit Stop.

Talk about a super bowl, Pit Stop owner Tony Romano cooks his up from scratch using fresh ingredients and a down-home approach to this comfort food favorite.  Think hearty chunks of meat, beans and just the right amount of spice to warm-up your taste-buds. But here at the stop, it's not just the soups that are on. Romano has earned a local following  for his tasty takes on fast food classics like hand-cut french fries, fabulous foot-longs and of course, those burgers. Chili or otherwise, this place is no crock. 

Everyone needs sammie to nosh on during the big bowl, but come game time not just any soggy submarine will do (we're New Yorkers after all). So ditch that boring bulkie and check out the bewitching sandwiches being served up at La Bottega.