Tennis is great, but honestly, most of us are at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the Honey Deuce. It’s the truth. You walk through the gates in Flushing Meadows, the sun is beating down on the hard courts, and suddenly the US Open food menu becomes just as important as Novak Djokovic’s return game.
Every year, the culinary lineup changes slightly. New celebrity chefs rotate in. Prices, unfortunately, only seem to go in one direction. If you aren't careful, you’ll spend $200 on a mediocre lobster roll and a lukewarm soda before the first set even finishes. You have to be strategic. The grounds are massive, and the options range from basic stadium hot dogs to Michelin-starred concepts that feel slightly out of place next to a tennis court.
The Iconic Honey Deuce and the Beverage Game
Let's get the big one out of the way. The Honey Deuce is the undisputed king of the US Open food menu. It’s basically Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, and raspberry liqueur, topped with those little honeydew melon balls that look exactly like tennis balls. People lose their minds over these. In 2024, they sold over 450,000 of them. At $22 a pop (and likely higher by the 2026 season), it’s a massive revenue driver for the tournament.
Is it worth it?
Yeah, mostly because you get to keep the commemorative acrylic cup. People collect these things like they're fine china. If you’re looking for a better buzz-to-price ratio, the wine bar near the fountains usually has some decent chilled rosés that feel a bit more sophisticated when you’re watching a five-set thriller. But for the "I was there" photo, the Deuce is mandatory.
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Where the Real Food Is Hiding
Most fans gravitate toward the Food Village. It’s loud. It’s crowded. The lines are long. If you want something actually delicious, you’ve gotta look toward the specialized stalls or the chef-led outposts near the big stadiums.
Pat LaFrieda’s Meat Purveyors is usually a safe bet. Their filet mignon steak sandwich is legendary for a reason. It’s heavy, though. Maybe don't eat it right before you have to climb to the top of Arthur Ashe Stadium unless you want a serious case of the meat sweats. Then you have Fuku, David Chang’s fried chicken spot. Their spicy chicken sandwich has been a staple of the US Open food menu for years because it’s consistent. In a place where a burger can sometimes come out looking like a sad gray hockey puck, Fuku usually delivers the crunch.
Newcomers and Rotating Chefs
The USTA has a habit of bringing in heavy hitters. We’ve seen names like Edouardo Jordan, Kwame Onwuachi, and JJ Johnson. These aren't just names on a sign; they usually bring specific, high-concept dishes.
- Fare from the African Diaspora: Usually found near the South Gate, these spots offer flavors you won’t find at a typical baseball game—think jollof rice or jerk chicken that actually has some kick.
- The Seafood Factor: Lure Fishbar often sets up shop. Their lobster roll is a rite of passage, but be warned: it’s pricey. We’re talking "I could have bought a used car" pricey if you’re feeding a family of four.
- The Vegetarian Struggle: It’s getting better. It used to be just sad salads. Now, you’ll find decent falafel bowls and even some high-end vegan pasta dishes if you look around the hospitality suites or the more permanent restaurant fixtures like Champions Bar & Grill.
Why the Pricing Isn't a Joke
Look, you’re in New York. You’re at a premium sporting event. The prices on the US Open food menu reflect that. Expect to pay $15 for a beer and $18 for a decent sandwich. It’s expensive because the overhead of running a two-week pop-up city is astronomical.
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But here is a pro tip: You can bring your own food.
Seriously. Most people don't realize that the US Open allows you to bring in a small bag with food. It has to be in a clear plastic bag or a very small soft-sided cooler. You can’t bring glass bottles or booze, obviously, but packing a few protein bars or a homemade turkey sandwich can save you $50. Then you can spend that saved money on a second Honey Deuce. Balance.
The Strategy for Eating Without Missing the Match
The biggest mistake is trying to eat at 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM. That’s when every single person on the grounds decides they’re starving. You will stand in line for 40 minutes.
Instead, eat during the second set of a high-profile match on Ashe. If Carlos Alcaraz is playing, the Food Village clears out slightly. Use that time. Grab your tacos or your poke bowl and find a spot by the practice courts. Watching a top-10 player work on their backhand while you eat a $20 poke bowl is actually one of the best experiences at the Open.
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The US Open food menu is designed to be Instagrammable. The colors are bright, the packaging is sleek, and the "celebrity" factor is high. But beneath the marketing, there’s some genuinely good food if you avoid the generic concession stands. Stick to the names you recognize from the NYC dining scene. If it’s a brand that has a successful restaurant in Manhattan or Brooklyn, they usually work harder to maintain their reputation on the grounds.
The Dessert Situation
Don't skip the Van Leeuwen ice cream. It’s a local NYC favorite for a reason. On a 95-degree day in Queens, that honeycomb flavor is a literal lifesaver. There’s also usually a creperie that smells amazing, though the line moves at a glacial pace. If you’re in a rush, just grab a frozen lemonade and keep moving.
What to Avoid at All Costs
Stay away from the generic "stadium" burgers. They are often pre-made and sit under heat lamps. If you're going to pay New York prices, get New York quality. Don't waste your appetite on a soggy hot dog when you could have a birria taco or a hand-pressed panini for five dollars more.
Also, watch out for the "exclusive" lounges. Unless you have a specific credit card or a high-level ticket, the food in those lounges isn't significantly better than what's in the Food Village; you're mostly just paying for the air conditioning and a slightly shorter line for the bathroom.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To navigate the US Open food menu like a local, follow these specific moves:
- Download the US Open App: They usually have a map with every food vendor listed. Check it before you arrive so you aren't wandering aimlessly in the heat.
- Hydrate for Free: Bring an empty plastic water bottle. There are water fountains and refill stations throughout the grounds. Spending $7 on a bottle of water is the biggest scam in the park.
- The "Deuce" Limit: Buy one Honey Deuce for the cup. If you want more to drink, look for the Heineken stands or the Grey Goose bars that serve drinks in standard cups for slightly less (though "less" is a relative term here).
- Check the Practice Schedule: Use the practice court bleachers as your dining room. It’s shaded, it’s quieter, and you get a front-row seat to the pros warming up.
- Eat Early or Late: Aim for 11:30 AM for lunch or 4:30 PM for an early dinner. You'll beat the rush and won't miss the night session's opening walk-outs.