When the Delaware North team huddled up over the summer to brainstorm about new food items for Islanders fans at UBS Arena this season, there were a number of different concepts that the culinary team came up with. That put the wheels in motion for what Islanders Country will be treated to starting with the home opener next Thursday night against Utah.
And those new items were on display during a media food and beverage event on Tuesday at UBS Arena.
"It's really fun because we get to see all of the crazy ideas that we basically threw at a wall over the summer come to fruition," said UBS Arena Executive Chef Ted Donnelly.
Members of the media, invited guests, and even Islanders mascot Sparky were on hand to get a look, smell and taste of the new food and beverage items served up during the event on the upper concourse by the Tailgate Bar and Clyde May's Bar.
Delaware North, the food and beverage company for UBS Arena, reached a new partnership with Fuku with a number of items available at Market 214 including OG Spicy Fried Chicken Sando, Sweet & Spicy Sando, Tenders and Fries and Waffle Fries.
Islanders fans also be treated to healthier food options thanks to a partnership with Northwell Health.Those items include a Chicken Caesar Salad, Greek Style Chicken and Hummus on Whole Wheat Pita and a Grilled Vegetable Sandwich.
The goal was to give Islanders fans a great culinary experience when they come to a game and that has been the mission statement since UBS Arena opened in 2021.
"The one thing we looked at even before we even opened this arena is how do we make our menu on the concourse not just our typical fanfare?" said Anthony Kleinman, Delaware North's General Manager for UBS Arena. "How do we bring a little bit of that premium experience down to the concession concourses?"
Mission accomplished.
Peter Schwartz
There was a plethora of other brand-new delectable unveiled on Tuesday including Buffalo Chicken Pizza (Market 108 and 203) and a "Knishwich" hot pastrami sandwich (Market 102) layered with Swiss cheese, tangy cole slaw and zesty mustard served on a warm bun alongside a crunch deli pickle. There's also Mighty Quinn's Chipotle Chicken Mac & Cheese (Portable 107 and Market 103), the Big Chicken Shaq Attack (Market 111 and Stand 206 and a classic loaded baked potato (Market 221).
To quench your thirst, there are new specialty cocktails available at all bar locations including Absolut Wild Berri Lemonade and Henny Cherry Lemonade.
And it doesn't matter if you sit in the first row or the last row because all 17,255 fans in attendance will have access to all of the options.
"This is all for the general public which is the aim," said Donnelly. "Islanders fans are Islanders fans whether it's a season ticket holder since 1972 or somebody that has just become a fan the last few years. Wherever you're sitting, you can get a great meal."
And now all that's left is for the Islanders fans to enjoy some great food and an Islanders win next Thursday in the season opener.
"We're very excited," said Kleinman. This place is going to be rocking but we're so excited to showcase all of the new foods. We look forward to it. Let's go Islanders!"
As that iconic sign said at Islanders games at Nassau Coliseum…
"Eat 'em Up Islanders"
And Islanders Country…Bon Appetit!
