Here's Everything You Need to Eat at the US Open

These concession stands are the real champions.

The US Open may be the most delicious sporting event in America. Hear us out. Not only is the annual tennis tournament held in the country’s restaurant capital, New York City, but the two-week tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens boasts some enviable culinary sponsors for its food-loving fans.

New York stadium staples like David Chang’s Fuku, Pat LaFrieda Meat Co., Korilla BBQ, Dos Toros Taqueria, and more local favorites will all be slinging fancy finger food during the event. And this year’s round of guest chefs is nothing to scoff at – James Beard Foundation Award Winners, Michelin star legends, and more culinary champions round out the roster of chefs cooking up unique and indulgent menus for fans at America’s biggest tennis tournament.

Of course, the high-end beverages designed to pair with the tennis cuisine are utterly aces too.

The signature cocktail, the Grey Goose Honey Deuce, served with melon tennis balls on top, is a must, along with plenty more refreshments from DOBEL Tequila, Aperol, and Lavazza to sip in style while watching legendary serves. And new for 2024, Moët & Chandon is the exclusive Champagne partner of the US Open (cue the celebratory bottle pops), and some pours of Moët & Chandon will be served in US Open Golden Goblets.

Those who simply can't wait to taste this year's culinary offerings can check out the Flavors of the Open on Thursday, August 22. The annual event will showcase dishes from celebrity chefs, and the $184 ticket includes all tastings plus the possibility of playing on the famed court at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Attending the tournament? Here are the restaurants and concessions you don’t want to miss before the final championship on Sunday, September 8.

COQODAQ

The first-ever stadium outpost of COTE founder Simon Kim’s Korean fried chicken restaurant, COQODAQ, will be the epitome of elevated stadium fare. Expect long lines, but waits to get reservations at the original Manhattan restaurant are longer. Diners can order the Golden Set with 24 karat, which tops a six-piece order of Kim’s signature crispy chicken nuggets with Petrossian Caviar, or the Black and Gold, which pairs the nuggets with fresh black truffle shavings and truffle mayo. But really, why not go for both?

Crown Shy

This Michelin-starred restaurant from lower Manhattan is taking up residence at a Queens concession stand for the end of summer, offering gourmet renditions of classic comfort food. The literal crown jewel of Kent Hospitality Group, Crown Shy will offer a can’t-miss chicken chopped cheese sandwich stacked with lettuce, tomato, and pepper jack, plus Crown Shy’s signature hot sauce.

Fly Fish

Chef Josh Capon’s concession stand is all about seafood, which is the perfect move on a hot summer day spent outside, whether you go for oysters on the half-shell or crab cakes. Try the Bay scallop ceviche soaked in a chile and lime dressing with shaved Bermuda onion and celery for crunch. A little more substantial is Capon’s classic New England lobster roll, loading poached Maine lobster tossed in mayo with fresh tarragon and celery onto a warm toasted potato bun.

Dobel Tequila Club

The official tequila of the U.S. Open since 2023, of course, Dobel enlisted one of New York’s most famous Mexican chefs to run its exclusive stadium eatery. Chef Enrique Olvera (of Mexico City’s Pujlo and Manhattan’s ATLA and Cosme) will offer dishes ready to pair with the tournament’s signature Paloma. The suadero beef taco keeps it classic with tender, spicy braised meat topped with avocado, salsa crudo, diced onion, and serrano pepper. Cool off with the shrimp aguachile bathing in a red leche de tigre with cucumber, celery, and avocado, plus crisp tostadas to scoop it all up.

Aces

Open exclusively to Courtside Box seat holders and Luxury Suite guests, Aces is the US Open’s signature sit-down restaurant, offering a special menu from lauded guest chefs. Chef Kwame Onwuachi of Tatiana (consistently named the best restaurant in New York and quite possibly the hardest reservation to secure) will contribute his recipes for grilled shrimp escovitch with green seasoning, lime, and scotch bonnet peppers, plus tuna kitfo with yuzu, ricotta and shrimp chicharron. Tennis fan and Iron Chef star Masaharu Morimoto always has a menu item at Aces. This year, it’s a special soft-shell crab roll.

Fare

A sit-down restaurant open to all ticket holders, Fare takes bookings via Resy for lunch and dinner by Alex Guarnaschelli. Save a table to ensure you have somewhere to sit between matches, and take advantage of being able to nosh on a Mediterranean bistro-inspired menu while overlooking the tennis center’s main fountain. 2024’s Fare menu includes a chilled watermelon salad with Aleppo pepper marinated French feta and lemon vinaigrette, as well as a warm cavatappi in yellow tomato sauce with heirloom cherry tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.

The Migrant Kitchen

Serving American food inspired by immigrants from all over the globe, The Migrant Kitchen exemplifies Queens’ diversity and cultural melting pot on a concessions menu. The 2024 menu will highlight Middle Eastern flavors in dishes like a chicken shawarma wrap with lettuce, tomato, and pickles and a fattoush salad combining local lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, tomato, radish, feta, and za'atar pita chips in sumac-pomegranate vinaigrette. 

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