Queens Tribune

1564 Union Tpke, Lake Success
(516) 437-7100
PARKING: Shopping Center
HOURS: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fri., Saturday after sundown in winter
TAKEOUT: Yes

For a lot of people, the thought of Kosher food brings up images of a thick, meaty sandwich without cheese, done in an Old World tradition, served with filling, high-carb sides that their mothers would make by the platter-full, tell you to have only one, but then tell you that you didn’t eat enough.

Well, that’s really close to what you’ll find at Dairy King, located on Union Turnpike just over the border into Nassau County – except for the meat, of course.

Dairy King is one of a dying breed of restaurants – if you thought Kosher delis were getting hard to find, you should try to find another dairy restaurant nearby. The closest you may come is an overblown bagel shop – but Dairy King is the real thing.

Diners, many of whom choose to get their goods to go, can pick from a variety of salads (made to order), soups, bagels, wraps, fish meals and dairy specialties.

Perhaps the best thing to do is to take a seat in their spacious yet simple dining area, either one of the booths or a table in the middle if you feel like chatting with the regulars (of which there seemed to be plenty on a recent lunchtime visit).

You can start your day at Dairy King with one of their many breakfast platters – bagels, eggs, Challah French Toast (the best kind!), pancakes or even just Danish and coffee.

If you’re there for lunch, a salad is always a good idea, and at Dairy King they make it easy on you. Start with your choice of Romaine or mixed greens, and then add your choice of toppings from inexpensive (cherry tomatoes, sprouts, carrots, onions) to moderate (olives, beets, feta, artichoke hearts) to pricey (tuna, salmon, egg white salad).

If you want something not so crunchy, try the soups – I personally recommend the mushroom barley, though borscht lovers have told me that Grandma’s Borscht is the best around.

Of course you can get a great bagel at Dairy King, and the blintzes are plump and tender, nothing you need a knife for – they cut on the edge of your fork.

If you’re looking to get something heartier still, look no further than the kitchen a Dairy King, which offers a great Apricot Chilean Sea Bass, Salmon Croquettes and a handful of other fish dishes, all served with your choice of side dishes, or you can build your own omelette, which is served with your choice of potato pancake, fries or a salad.

In addition to the great sit-down and take-out options Dairy King offers, they are well known for their catering – everything from a bris to a funeral, and all points in between – and offer a much greater range of dishes beyond what can be found at their restaurant. Caviar, knishes, kabobs and cookies can be found among the many Kosher specialties. Give ‘em a call for your next event, and be sure to stop by for a nosh. Enjoy.