Who’s Hungry?!? Hey fellow food lovers! My name is Doug, and I am Long Island’s Professional Fat Guy! Here on Long Island, there are tons of hobbies you can get involved in. My wife Jessica and I love to go out and try new restaurants. There are so many places to choose from with a vast variety of themes, scenes, and authentic cuisines. We are here to tell you about our favorite spot we visit each month.
Sandwiches!!! I am a huge fan of sandwiches! Growing up my grandparents, who had a very poor upbringing, would take leftovers and make them into sandwiches. Some of the most creative stuff you could think of. Now, when I go to a sandwich spot, I look for creativity with the flavor combination that just explodes when you bite into it.
Today we are stopping at The BBQ King located at 371 Lakeland Ave, Sayville. Walking in, we were greeted right away at the service counter by The BBQ King himself, Keith Lombardo. His big smile and spikey haircut made him easy to recognize from his social media pages. The place itself is designed as a walk up/ take out counter. Looking past the counter, you can see multiple working stations for all the different culinary options that they offer, and they were immaculate to the point any Michelin rated chef would be impressed.
Having just over a dozen options to choose from on their standard menu and a rotating weekly themed specialty menu for take out, I asked the chef for his recommendations. He recommended The Spicy Italian Pork, The Meatball Sub, The Hot Honey Chicken, Korean Chicken Tacos, Wings and Fries.
While waiting for the order, I got to talk to Keith and found out what inspired his love for food. Keith grew up working in local pizzerias and butcher shops. After high school he attended Hofstra for 1 year which made him realize his true passion was in Culinary Arts. He attended NY Restaurant School where he got his Culinary Certificate and then went on to get his Food Service Management Degree from Nassau Community College. His biggest influence and inspiration was the head chef at Pine Hills Country Club where he got more training and knowledge than he did at school. He has been in Sayville at this location now for 3 years, but the takeout counter is just 6 months young and booming.
First, we tried The Meatball Sub. This is made with homemade meatballs, fresh mozzarella, pesto, pomodoro sauce and shaved parmesan. This was such a flavorful treat compared to your standard meatball sub. The pesto added a whole different flavor to the sandwich.
Next up was The Spicy Italian Pork. It was slow roasted garlic pork that was so juicy it melted in your mouth topped with hot cherry peppers, provolone, arugula and kissed with garlic aioli. WOW! Definitely jumped right into my list of favorite sandwiches.
Our third sandwich was The Hot Honey Chicken. It was crispy fried chicken cutlets tossed in hot honey sauce with coleslaw, bacon, pepper jack and cheddar cheese. Move over chicken club because your standard flavor just got knocked out of the park. This sandwich hits every flavor you want from hot to sweet to tangy and more! This sandwich is not available on their everyday menu but if you go in and ask for it, it is known as their everyday “Secret Menu Sandwich.”
Jess dove right into the Korean Chicken Tacos. The flavor combination of Hoisin BBQ, pickled vegetables, cucumber, lettuce, jalapenos, and kimchi aioli served on a warm tortilla was the perfect comfort food. It was sweet and salty with the perfect crunch.
Wings can make or break any catering company. They are a necessity for almost all major gatherings. The BBQ King has found the perfect balance of sauce and spices to keep you coming back over and over again. You can get a 6-piece order every day on the KTO menu so give it a try. You will want to serve them at your next event.
Fries are served almost everywhere you go from fast food restaurants to high-end steak houses. Everyone tries to pass them off different ways in different sizes but generally they are pretty much the same. The BBQ King offers his king style fries seasoned with their special barbeque rub. They have such a unique flavor with just the right amount of crisp that dipping them would seem disgraceful.
The BBQ King is here to stay! Besides his everyday menu, you can also take advantage of his BBQ Packages, catering menu and specialty holiday menus. While we were there, he was prepping the thickest 6-foot Italian/American hero I have ever seen. I am coming back next week for a Sally Boy Sub! I hope to see you there and tell them you want the “Secret Menu Sandwich” from Doug and Jess.
Until next time, Bon Appetit!