wumpan eats: Where to Eat in Staten Island

Staten Island is not a place you visit unless you absolutely have to. This was a few years ago but I told my hair dresser that I lived in Staten Island, he was so surprised and said, "Wow, I didn't know people live on that island!" He might have misunderstood Staten Island with Ellis Island though...

Though I don't live there anymore, I used to struggle with finding good restaurants to go on the island. They have pharmacies and chain restaurants to choke a truck load of horses, but when it comes to some local good bites...I digress. So I listed (random order) the good places to eat on the island...if you should EVER end up in Staten Island by some kind of terrible mistake, check them out before frantically trying to find a way out of it.

1. Green Garden (752 Forest Ave, 718-815-0161)
I really love their shrimp in white wine sauce and beef and scallop dish. Their prices are reasonable (especially lunch specials) and food is fresh. I like that their food is not greasy at all.

2. Burger Chef (CLOSED!!!!!)
This was a nice joint on Victory Blvd. They had really good burgers. Daffy's on Forest Ave is pretty famous for their burgers but I personally like Burger Chef burgers better. The cook (might have been the owner, too) was a very friendly guy, and he used to smile so happily every time I told him I enjoyed their food. I just found out though, that they closed. I am just listing this place out of good memories and respect. I will never forget you, Burger Chef!!

3. Denino's Pizza (524 Port Richmond Ave 718-442-9401)
One advise. GET THERE EARLY!! They have a tiny parking lot, which is unusual for Staten Island, gets full right away and a line forms in the restaurant (sometimes the line goes OUT the restaurant!) so you have to get there early. I LOVE to eat but HATE to wait for it. The boss from my previous work took me out to eat there when I left. We went there on a Friday around 5. The restaurant was quiet but by the time we left, there were people waiting in the lounge area. They have a rather simple menu. Pizza (many different toppings), Appetizers, Salad and some Platters, that's it. Their pizza is thin crust. I don't like pizza but I loved their pizza. That should tell you a lot.
(By the way, there is a bread place right across the street. It is NOT a bakery. It is a bread place. I believe it's a factory. They make their breads there and deliver them to supermarkets. Their breads are really good! I once bought a loaf of Italian bread and ate it all in the car on my drive home.)

4. Piece-A-Cake (177 New Dorp Ln 718-980-2253)
There is a bakery called Cake Chef on Jewett Ave, and this is like their second bakery. It is a cafe, and you can eat there. In addition to the yummy sweet stuff, they have nice brunch menus. I really love their focaccia!! Make sure to bring some "dough" though, since they only accept cash.

5. Rinconcito Paisa (1976 Forest Ave 718-442-0880)
Their Columbian food is awesome! Price is good, plenty of food, if you feel like clogging your arteries, this is the place to be! Everything I've had there is great but my favorite by far is their shrimp in garlic sauce. I also love love love their plantain chips with sofrito sauce. They are just greeeeeeeeat!! They also have freshly made fruit juices which are really good.

6. Pasticceria Bruno (676 Forest Ave 718-448-0993)
They have another one on Hylan Blvd, which I believe is bigger, but I have only been to the one on Forest Ave. They are a bit pricy, but I really like their grilled calamari salad and key lime pie. Bruno is right next to my old job, so I used to get the salad and the pie when I got paid. I never tried their pizza or pasta though.

7. Royal Crown Bakery (1350 Hylan Blvd 718-668-0284)
I thought the style of this bakery is very rare in Staten Island. This restaurant reminds me of the watered down version of Mamas of Corona in Queens. Though they have menus in the restaurant, some foods are in the show case and they sell it by the pound. The restaurant and the bakery are next to each other and you can order and eat in either place. They are pricy but their broccoli robe and sausage panini is outrageously good and they make their own balsamic dressing. It's sweet and goes well with pretty much anything. They sell it in a bottle. I fell in love with it and bought a bottle (15 bucks though!!) They have patio seatings that face Hylan Blvd. The fumes from the traffic of Hylan Blvd would be a nice compliment to your dish.

Bon appetit!!