Where to get huge portions on Long Island
Photo credit: Photo by Danielle Finkelstein | A dish of spaghetti and meatballs is ready to be served at Martino's in Kings Park
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Use a fork or use a forklift? That's the dilemma diners face at Long Island restaurants where individual portions are sized to feed a sumo tag team.
Before calling in the food police, though, keep in mind that nobody's forced to clean their plates. In fact, an entire family may be able to dine for days on what goes home in the doggy bag -- or carton.
Nassau
CAFE AL DENTE 2 Spring St., Oyster Bay, 516-922-2442
THE DISH Seafood fra diavolo features a haul of shellfish (shrimp, clams and calamari) over a boatload of linguine, everything in a spicy plum tomato sauce. The dish is preceded by a big, colorful salad crowned with shredded Provolone.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 2 to 3
PRICE $25 (Also check out the pork chops pizzaiola, another red sauce debauch).
>> PHOTOS: Huge portions at Long Island restaurants
PASTRAMI KING 196 Merrick Rd., Merrick, 516-377-4300
THE DISH Pastrami King special triple-decker sandwich. It's a carnivore's dream, a cardiologist's nightmare - a towering compilation of pastrami, corned beef, roast beef and salami.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 2 to 4
PRICE $14.50
Nassau and Suffolk
CIAO BABY 5074 Sunrise Hwy., Massapequa Park, 516-799-5200246 Voice Rd., Carle Place, 516-248-7600204 E. Jericho Tpke., Commack, 631-543-1400
THE DISH Is it a rice ball or a planetoid? The appetizer features a lightly crisped crust overlaying creamy rice and ground beef with peas. It's set in a sea of tomato sauce, dolloped with fresh ricotta and guaranteed to knock your eyes out.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 3 to 5
PRICE $14.95 (it's also an appetizer choice on the $24.95 family supper)
CHEESECAKE FACTORY 1504 Old Country Rd., Westbury, 516-222-5500610 Smith Haven Mall #P-10, Lake Grove, 631-361-6600160 Walt Whitman Rd., # 1109, Huntington Station, 631-271-8200),
THE DISH Santa Fe Salad. The statement "I'll only have a salad" takes on new meaning with this virtual basin of greens topped with lime-marinated chicken, corn, black beans, cheese, tomato and tortilla strips. Get the spicy peanut-cilantro dressing on the side, and you can pack leftovers to go.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 2 to 4
PRICE $13.95
>> PHOTOS: Huge portions at Long Island restaurants
SMOKIN' AL'S FAMOUS BBQ JOINT 4847 Merrick Rd., Massapequa Park, 516-799-490019 W. Main St., Bay Shore, 631-206-3000
THE DISH The ridiculously tall "haystack" of fried onions may obscure from view the person sitting opposite you. It's that big.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 4 to 6
PRICE $9.99
(Also check out the 2-mile-high "challenge burger," two 10-ounce grilled burgers with toppings on an oversize sesame bun. Or the brontosaurian rack of ribs).
Suffolk
CAMPAGNOLA 6546 Jericho Tpke., Commack, 631-499-0088
THE DISH Campagnola, a combination platter of bone-in chicken, sausage, sliced steak, mushrooms, peppers and potatoes in wine sauce. It's an enormous plate of hyper-flavorsome food.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 3 to 6
PRICE $18
CARNIVAL 4900 Nesconset Hwy. (Nesconset Shopping Plaza), Port Jefferson Station, 631-473-9772
THE DISH Pork chops alla Carnival are marvelous and mammoth. Good as they are (accompanied by a sizable salad or pasta), you probably won't be able to finish both.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 2 to 4
PRICE $21.50
Also, check out the pasta e fagiole, a rich, garlicky brew brimming with pasta and white beans - more a tureen than a bowlful.
GREEK CAPTAIN 195 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station, 631-629-4254
THE DISH You may need eight hands to finish the wondrous grilled octopus, a smoky and tender appetizer.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 2 to 4
PRICE $15
(Also check out the plump, virtually all-crab crab cakes, four to an order, as well as the broiled lemon sole, a gorgeous, thick filet that overhangs the plate.)
LA CASA CAFE 445 Waterside Ave., Northport, 631-757-7720, lacasacaferestaurant.com
THE DISH
Italian feast. A veritable trough of food: eggplant rollatini, ravioli, lasagna and baked ziti topped with a big meatball, blanketed in tomato sauce and a melt of mozzarella. Good eating - much better than you'd expect after partaking of the prosaic salad bar included in the price.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 3 to 6
PRICE $18.95
MAMA'S 922 Montauk Hwy., Copiague, 631-842-9889
THE DISH The "kicked up mac 'n cheese" is a kick and a half - an opulent casserole of shells baked with spinach, baby shrimp, Cheddar cream sauce and bacon, topped with toasted bread crumbs.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 2 to 4
PRICE $15
MARTINO'S 52 Indian Head Rd., Kings Park, 631-269-2880
THE DISH Spaghetti and meatballs. Make that spaghetti mountain topped with three mega meatballs in an old- fashioned sauce that's just plain good.
BIG ENOUGH TO FEED 2 to 3
PRICE $8.95
IF YOU EAT IT ALL, IT'S FREE
Swingbellys Beach Side BBQ in Long Beach throws out this challenge: Finish a full slab of St. Louis ribs, 1/4- pound pulled pork on Texas toast, 1/4-pound brisket on Texas toast, 4 wings, 3 rib tips, 2 side dishes and cornbread, all in an hour or less, and the $34.95 platter is free. You also get an official "porker" T-shirt and a place on the Swingbellys Wall of Fame (or Shame, depending upon your outlook). To date, although more than 250 people have attempted, only 15 have gone whole hog. Swingbellys Beach Side BBQ is at 909 W. Beech St., Long Beach, 516-431-3464.
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