Grab Some Bites Near the RBC Brooklyn Half Expo
Caldo Tlalpeno Rojo soup at lx Restaurant.
David Paradela is on the internal communications team at NYRR. Prior to working at NYRR, he worked at Wine & Spirits Magazine.
If you haven’t already heard, the RBC Brooklyn Half Expo Presented by New Balance is moving to Prospect Park’s beautiful LeFrak Center at Lakeside, a short walk from multiple subway stops. Before or after you pick up your bib, visit the NYRR Running Lab, and snag some fresh New Balance gear, you might want to grab a bite to eat! So, we’ve provided a few recommendations below of places to kick back, enjoy the vibes around the park, and fuel up to race through the Borough of Kings!
Restaurants Close to Prospect Park Station (B, Q, and S trains)
lx Restaurant
Hot Figs, a set of tortilla chips served with honey-infused goat cheese.
While there’s a heap of Mexican restaurants in New York City, it’s not often you find cuisine from their Mayan neighbor, Guatemala. Highlighted on the menu at Ix, which also offers delicious sandwiches and salads, are their plethora of traditional soups and stews, which serve as great meals on a rainy day or after climbing a volcano overlooking Antigua or your final shakeout run around Prospect Park. The Caldo Tlalpeno Rojo soup is rich and nourishing, built on a tomato-based broth and shredded chicken, amplified by stringy Oaxaca cheese, and garnished with crunchy blue tortilla strips. For a funky snack, try the Hot Figs, a set of tortilla chips served with honey-infused goat cheese, plums, and pumpkin seeds. Guatemala is considered the birthplace of chocolate, so make sure to order one of Ix’s signature hot cacao drinks—the cardamom rosemary comes highly recommended.
Moe’s Pastrami & Burger
Pastrami sandwich and burger from Moe's.
It’s not often you encounter a pastrami sandwich that rivals the ones at Katz’s Deli or 2nd Ave. Deli, but Moe’s Pastrami & Burger is a worthy contender. Opened by Moe, an immigrant from Yemen, the restaurant brines their pastrami in water and seasonings for a week before slow cooking it for around 16 hours. The result is a brisket that falls apart at the slightest wiggle, glistening with moisture, and intensely savory. Two bonus perks of Moe’s are that their meat is halal, and you can order various sizes of the sandwich, so you can try a modest amount of pastrami without overindulging. But don’t sleep on their burgers either, which come with a flavorful mayo infused with Middle Eastern spices. You can even order pastrami as a topping on your burger!
Chocolate Connects
Belgian chocolate desserts on display.
If it’s a sweet treat you’re looking for, head over to Chocolate Connects, a zany little shop that sells delicious desserts using only Belgian chocolate. You can taste the quality of the chocolate on top of their crepes, chocolate-covered fruits, and most potently, their "off-menu" hot chocolate. For something unique, try their viral Kunafa Crepe, which comes with velvety pistachio cream and milk chocolate topped with kataifi and pistachio crumbs.
Restaurants Close to Winthrop Street Station (2 and 5 trains)
Djon Djon
Kabrit en Sauce (stewed goat).
Since 2018, a section of the Flatbush neighborhood in Brooklyn has been designated “Little Haiti,” with the highest concentration of Haitian-owned businesses in New York City. In the vicinity is Djon Djon, a Haitian restaurant serving up classes such as Voodoo Pasta and Kabrit en Sauce (stewed goat). The pasta makes a great carb-loading meal a day or two before race day, and is served in a spicy Alfredo sauce with cherry tomatoes and mushrooms—you can even add goat, chicken, or sausage. Goat is a staple protein in Haitian cuisine, and Djon Djon offers a fantastic stewed dish accompanied by your choice of a side. Spooning some of the gravy from the goat stew onto mac and cheese, with a little splash of Caribbean hot sauce—is comfort food heaven.
At the LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Duck Island Cafe & Bar at LeFrak Center at Lakeside
In a hurry? You can grab food at the Expo location. According to the Prospect Park Alliance website, "The LeFrak Center at Lakeside is home to Duck Island Cafe & Bar featuring indoor and outdoor seating with panoramic views. Open daily, the cafe offers a full range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, including baked goods, sandwiches, salads, patties, pizzas, burgers, gluten free and vegetarian options and more. The cafe also offers a menu of coffee beverages, sodas, wine, beer and specialty cocktails."
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