Shaquille O'Neal to debut 'The Islander' chicken sandwich at UBS Arena in Elmont
Former NBA champion and partner in Big Chicken restaurants Shaquille O'Neal holds "The Islander" sandwich that will be available at concessions at the UBS Arena in Elmont. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Towering over the profusion of food options at UBS Arena at Belmont Park when it opens Nov. 20 will be Big Chicken, a collaboration between Shaquille O’Neal and Las Vegas-based event planner JRS Hospitality. The NBA legend announced Thursday that this would be the New York debut of the burgeoning fast-casual chain whose current locations include Las Vegas, Glendale, California and select Carnival cruises.
The 18,500-seat Elmont arena, the new home of the New York Islanders as well as a music venue, will be the only place on earth to get Big Chicken’s "The Islander," a fried chicken breast topped with Buffalo sauce, cream cheese, blue cheese and served, in grand Long Island style, on a blue-and-orange bagel from Blue Line Deli & Bagels. Blue Line, an Islanders-themed eatery in Huntington, is owned by Donald Rosner, scion of the Bagel Boss family. Those bagels — minus the chicken — will also be available at a number of stands.
Delaware North, the global hospitality company in charge of the arena's food and beverage operations, has partnered with other Long Island businesses to localize the culinary offerings: The Harrison, a Floral Park mainstay less than 2 miles away, is providing cheeseburgers and fries at three outlets in the concession area. The lineup will also feature brisket, burnt ends and pulled-pork sandwiches from Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, the New York barbecue chain whose first franchise location outside the five boroughs was in Garden City.
Delaware North has also partnered with Milk Bar, the over-the-top Manhattan bakery — its iconic Cereal Milk soft-serve will be on tap at UBS — and the Sausage King of New York, whose Italian-style salumi will be on the menu at concessions and in the premium suites.
Other options will include street tacos, sushi, seafood, Chinese, pizza, cheesesteaks, chicken tenders, ice cream, burgers and pretzels; plus halal, kosher, vegetarian and gluten-free fare. Beverages will include canned cocktails, spiked seltzers, beer and soft drinks.
There are also plenty of other dining options near the arena.
In addition to Islanders games, UBS Arena will also host musical acts, including Harry Styles (Nov. 28), Eric Church (Dec. 4) and Genesis (Dec. 10).
The Harrison burger comes with American cheese, tomato, pickles and lettuce at The Harrison in Floral Park. Credit: Daniel Brennan
UBS Arena is at 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont, ubsarena.com.
