Brooklyn’s 10 Best Beach Eats (Ok, Queens and Long Island Too)
Coney Island (at Surf Avenue)
We never understood why anyone would order shriveled hot dogs at the Nathan’s outpost on the boardwalk, when the original sells perfectly snappy specimens off of their well-greased rollers only steps way. But now that Crown Heights’ seminal Tom’s diner has taken over that boardwalk space, they’ve provided a totally solid Coney Island dining option (outside of that original Nathan’s, as well as the nearby Totonno’s, that is). They even have a roof deck, for enjoying those famous ricotta pancakes, ideal greasy spoon burgers, and throwback cherry lime rickeys, all while overlooking the unperturbed waters of the Atlantic (just avert your eyes from the bottle caps and spent condoms bobbing along the shore). And Plaza Mexico Dona Zita is another diamond in the rough amongst the flaccid funnel cake and desiccated calamari vendors dotting the boardwalk, selling freshly griddled, $3 tacos, stuffed with carnitas, chorizo, pollo and bistec, and laked with house-made pico de gallo.
Tom’s Restaurant: Boardwalk West
Plaza Mexico Dona Zita: Bowery St & Henderson Walk