Best Appetizer on Long Island

What’s an incredible meal at a restaurant without an appetizer to start it off? Mozzarella sticks, potato skins, calamari, quesadillas…okay, we’ll stop. Your mouth is probably watering right now, anyway. Long Island restaurants have so many different varieties of this ‘appetizing’ dish that it was almost impossible to narrow it down to one, but a contender did come out on top. This year, no matter how close or far you may live, definitely make sure you try the Best Appetizer on Long Island.

2020: Long Islanders Voted Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen & Caterers – Carle Place Best Appetizer!

Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen & Caterers – Carle Place
59 Old Country Rd, Carle Place
(516) 742-3354 – bensdeli.net

Nothing starts a meal quite like a great appetizer. At Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen & Caterers in Carle Place, they have a huge list of appetizers that will surely please any guest. Two of Ben’s OG appetizers are the “Unique Chicken Fricassee,” mini meatballs served in brown gravy, and “Stuffed Cabbage Hongroise,” a cabbage roll filled with lean ground beef, a little rice and their special seasonings, in a sauce that cries out for rye. Ben’s also has hush puppies, fried kreplach, beef tongue polonaise (if you’re feeling adventurous) and homemade stuffed derma, just to name a few of their delicious offerings. They also have chicken tenders for those who want to play it safe with a classic dish!

2019: Long Islanders Voted Ben’s Kosher Deli Best Appetizer!

Ben’s Kosher Deli
59 Old Country Road, Carle Place
(516) 742-3354 – www.bensdeli.net

Long-time kosher deli serving entrees, sandwiches, delicious soups and sides, Ben’s Kosher Deli is a family-owned and operated restaurant and delicatessen that serves the finest authentic New York-style Kosher delicatessen and eastern European comfort foods on Long Island. Their success has spread like a schmear on a bagel, Ben’s now has locations on Long Island, Midtown Manhattan, Queens and Boca Raton, Florida. Ben’s offers amazing appetizers including, chicken fingers, fried kreplach, potted mini meatballs, and chopped liver. Ben’s is also the perfect spot for a full-roster of deli favorites like pastrami, corned beef, sour pickles, potato latkes, and other highlights of kosher cooking.

2018: Long Islanders Voted Ben’s Kosher Deli Best Appetizer on Long Island!

Ben’s Kosher Deli
www.bensdeli.net

Long-time kosher deli serving entrees, sandwiches, delicious soups and sides, Ben’s Kosher Deli is a family-owned and operated restaurant and delicatessen that serves the finest authentic New York-style Kosher delicatessen and eastern European comfort foods on Long Island. Their success has spread like a schmear on a bagel, Ben’s now has locations on Long Island, Midtown Manhattan, Queens and Boca Raton, Florida. Ben’s offers amazing appetizers including, chicken fingers, fried kreplach, potted mini meatballs, and chopped liver. Ben’s is also the perfect spot for a full-roster of deli favorites like pastrami, corned beef, sour pickles, potato latkes, and other highlights of kosher cooking.

2017: Long Islanders Voted Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge Best Appetizer on Long Island

Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge 4 Patchogue Dr., Rocky Point. 631-744-4100. spiroslounge.com From their famous baked clams to their tuna tartar, fried calamari fritters, and fresh mozzarella and Portobello mushroom, Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge offers mouthwatering appetizers that will make you forget all about the following courses. This Rocky Point restaurant is the perfect spot to wind down after a long work week. Not only are the appetizers to-die-for, but the drinks are delicious, the entrees are exquisite, and the atmosphere is absolutely amazing! National Winner: Applebee’s, Spinach Artichoke Dip Multiple Locations. applebees.com Who doesn’t have memories of going to Applebee’s as a kid with their family and then as a teenager with their friends? Remember how great the appetizers were? Boneless wings, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, chips with spinach and artichoke dip—yum, yum, yum, yum! Well, some things never change. Long Island has spoken and Applebee’s continues to offer the best appetizers on Long Island. So, take a break from cooking tonight and head over to Applebee’s for some amazing appetizers—you may not even get to your entrée!

2016: Long Islanders Voted Ruvo Restaurants, Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp Best Appetizer on Long Island

Ruvo Restaurants, Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp Multiple Locations. ruvorestaurant.com With DeNicola Brothers Concepts’ Ruvo Restaurant & Bars located in Port Jefferson and Greenlawn, Del Fuegos in St. James, Babylon and Patchogue, and La Tavola in Sayville, this family owned and operated team is known throughout Long Island for their high-quality dishes, impressive presentations and commitment to excellence. Exploding with flavor and always the perfect warm-up for the main entree, no matter what it may be, this phenomenal creation is simply unforgettable! National Winner: Applebee’s, Spinach Artichoke Dip Multiple Locations. applebees.com Long Islanders love their spinach and artichoke dip. They just do. For the second year in a row, voters have chosen Applebee’s to be The Best at this appetizer wonder, and for great reasons. Not too soggy, not too dense, but just right, this delectable pairing makes a delicious warm-up for your main course and elevates your entire meal to a whole new level!

2015: Long Islanders Voted Novi Restaurant, Eggplant Quesadilla Best Appetizer on Long Island!

Novi Restaurant, Eggplant Quesadilla 99 Merrick Rd. Baldwin. 516-442-4500. novibaldwin.com The perfect appetizer wows. It satisfies yet does not overfill. It sets the mood while also hinting at the sublime possibilities still to come. Novi Restaurant’s Egglplant Quesadilla does all this and so much more. Imagine the freshest, tenderest eggplant showered in shaved mozzarella and slathered with tasty, flavorful sauce smothered between a warm, welcoming tortilla. Can you say “Yum. Yum. Yum!” Long Island voters sure can! National. Applebee’s, Spinach Artichoke Dip Multiple Locations. applebees.com When spinach and artichokes collide, something amazing happens. Sparks fly. Flavors meld. The world becomes a much better place. Nowhere else on Long Island does this cataclysmic mixture of fresh, delicious goodness blend in quite the same way, inspire so much sensation upon the taste buds, incite exactly the same level of euphoric excitement among hungry patrons. Applebee’s does it right, sure. But this title means its expert kitchen and myriad smiling, exuberant waitstaff do it better than good. They do it spectacular, and that’s why they’ve been crowned such a gloriously prestigious and coveted honor!

2014: Long Islanders Voted Grey House – Little Necks au gratin in Bayport Best Appetizer on Long Island!

1. Grey Horse Tavern – Little Necks au gratin 291 Bayport Ave., Bayport. 631-472-1868. greyhorsetavern.com 2. The Good Life – Mashed Potato Wontons 1039 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park. 516-798-4663. thegoodlifeny.com 3. Rachel’s Waterside Grill – Tuna Nachos 281 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport.

2013: Long Islanders Voted Rachel’s Waterside Grill’s Tuna Nachos in Freeport Best Appetizer on Long Island!

1. Rachel’s Waterside Grill — Tuna Nachos 28 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport. 516-546-0050. www.rachelswatersidegrill.com 2. Grey Horse Tavern — Little Necks au Gratin 291 Bayport Ave., Bayport. 631-472-1868. www.greyhorsetavern.com 3. King Umberto’s — Fried Capellini 1343 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. 516-352-3232. www.kingumberto.com NATIONAL Cheesecake Factory — Avocado Rolls

2012: Long Islanders Voted Shandon Court in East Islip Best Appetizer on Long Island

1. Shandon Court—Baked Seafood 115 E. Main St., East Islip. 631-581-5678. www.shandoncourt.com 2. Rachel’s Waterside Grill—Tuna Nachos 281 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport. 516-546-0050. rachelswatersidegrill.com 3. King Umberto Pizzeria & Restaurant – Fried Capellini 1343 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. 516-352-8391. www.kingumberto.com NATIONAL Cheesecake Factory—Avocado Rolls Multiple Locations. www.thecheesecakefactory.com

2011: Long Islanders Voted King Umberto’s/Fried Cappellini in Elmont Best Appetizer on Long Island!

1. King Umberto’s/Fried Cappellini 1343 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. 516-352-8391. www.kingumberto.com 2. Rachel’s Waterside Grill/Tuna Nachos 281 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport. 516-546-0050. www.rachelswatersidegrill.com 3. The Stone Turtle/Screaming Oysters 4160 Austin Blvd., Island Park. 516-431-6570. www.thestoneturtlerestaurant.com