Sutphin Boulevard deli gets in on Knicks championship spirit
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Gourmet Bagel Deli on Sutphin Boulevard’s three Knicks-inspired specials. Eagle photo by Ryan Schwach
By Ryan Schwach
With merch to buy, highlights to watch and fellow New Yorkers to high five, there are bountiful opportunities to relive the glory of the New York Knicks championship win over the weekend.
Now, Knicks fans can even celebrate the long-awaited victory while eating lunch.
On Sutphin Boulevard directly across the street from Queens’ Civil Court houses, Gourmet Bagel Deli is getting in on the spirit of the Knicks win with a trio of specials dedicated to the city’s NBA champs.
The deli has recently begun whipping up the Jalen Brunson Breakfast Special, the OG Wrap and the Knicks Box in honor of the team.
“[The Knicks] kind of just brought everyone together, and I wanted to share in that camaraderie and that friendship,” said Kevin Martinez, lifelong Knicks fan and manager of Gourmet Bagel Deli.
Martinz said the tribute began with the Brunson sandwich – bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel with hashbrowns and chipotle mayo.
The breakfast sammie is a nod to the Knicks’ captain’s own New York City deli order, though Martinez’ offering includes extra bacon so that it more resembles the classic BEC.
“People have been liking it,” Martinez told the Eagle.
Following OG Anunoby’s heroic, game winning tip to secure game four for the Knicks and put them up three-to-one in the series, Martinez added the OG Wrap.
The wrap includes streak, shredded cheddar and mozzarella, onions, peppers, turkey bacon, an avocado green sauce and an aptly named “clutch” sauce.
Martinez said it is similar to a chopped cheese or philly cheesesteak, and includes turkey bacon because he read that the game four hero likes it.
The Knicks Box is a chicken cutlet served on torta bread with melted cheddar, barbecue sauce and chipotle mayo with a side of fries and a coke for $19.99, a price reminiscent of the last time the Knicks appeared in the finals.
Like anything Knicks related over the past several weeks, the new options have been popular.
“It's actually the first time we've done something like this, but it's giving me ideas for next time,” he said. “It's been a good experience.”
The deli manager said that a few tourists walked into the deli last week and ordered the Brunson as their first-ever bacon, egg and cheese sandwich.
“I was excited to be part of that, and they were really happy with it,” he said.
A 30-year-old, lifelong Knicks fan, Martinez said he was one of the millions celebrating the Knicks’ win over the Spurs on Saturday night.
“I was here when [Carmelo Anthony] was here, Linsanity, the ups and downs,” he said. “For a second I kind of thought we were never going to win, and it kind of felt hopeless.”
“Honestly, they really turned it around, and it's been incredible to see that kind of turn around,” he added. “Never seen anything like it.”
The deli might add some other Knicks stars to the specials menu, like hometown boy Jose Alvarado, who was born in Brooklyn and attended high school in Queens.
“It's nice to see that everyone's embracing the culture that is New York,” he said. “It brings us together.”
