Big Chicken

- 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003

Introduction / Overview

For New Yorkers heading to a game or concert at the spectacular UBS Arena, one of the most exciting dining options available is Big Chicken. This unique chicken restaurant, backed by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, is not just another fast-casual spot; it’s a culinary experience that fuses Shaq's home-cooked childhood favorites with today's trending, bold flavors. It’s a dedicated destination for comfort food with an undeniable "big" personality, reflecting the founder himself.

Located within the vibrant atmosphere of the UBS Arena in Elmont, Big Chicken has quickly established itself as a must-try for New York Islanders fans and event-goers alike. The menu is a celebration of generous portions and innovative combinations, focusing primarily on high-quality, premium chicken that is preservative-free, humanely raised with no cages, no hormones, and no antibiotics—a commitment to "BIG flavor that's oh so good." The dining experience is perfectly suited for a casual atmosphere, making it ideal for grabbing a quick bite before the action starts.

Patrons often come for the large, creative chicken sandwiches, which are the cornerstone of the menu. Customers have praised the food, noting that sandwiches, such as the special "Islanders sandwich," are "Really cool and unique... tasted great." However, as is common with food service inside major New York-area venues, customers should prepare for the prices that are what you expect for arena food. While the quality and portion size are generally well-received—one customer mentioned a sandwich was a "decent portion" and "tasted pretty good"—the high price point is a factor unique to its arena location. Nonetheless, for a quality, themed, and satisfying meal while enjoying an event, Big Chicken delivers the ultimate chicken comfort food experience. It is immensely popular for Lunch, Dinner, and Solo dining, catering to the individual fan or a group looking for a shared meal.

Location and Accessibility

The New York location of Big Chicken is strategically positioned within a major entertainment venue, the UBS Arena at Belmont Park. This specific address is 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003, USA.

Given its location within a dedicated arena, accessibility is primarily tied to attending events at the venue. UBS Arena sits on the historic grounds of Belmont Park, making it a recognizable landmark in Elmont, Long Island. Big Chicken has multiple points of presence inside the arena to better serve event attendees, including a stand on the Lower Concourse near Section 111 and another on the Upper Concourse near Section 206/306. This strategic placement ensures that New York Islanders fans and concertgoers from all levels of the arena have access to their flavorful chicken offerings.

Accessibility to the venue itself is excellent, situated less than 15 miles from both JFK and LaGuardia Airports and benefiting from the extensive Long Island transportation network. While parking may be subject to arena fees and event operations, the restaurant's immediate accessibility for event attendees is superb. For convenience, Big Chicken accepts modern payment methods, including Credit cards and Debit cards, simplifying transactions for guests focused on the show or game.

Services Offered

Big Chicken at UBS Arena is designed to provide quick, high-quality, and satisfying meals within a large-scale entertainment environment. The services are streamlined for efficiency and maximum guest convenience during events.

• Dine-in Service: Customers can enjoy their meal in the casual, fun atmosphere of the UBS Arena concourse areas near the Big Chicken stands. This is the primary method of enjoyment for event attendees.
• Takeout Options: Designed for grab-and-go convenience, customers can quickly purchase their sandwiches, tenders, and sides to enjoy at their seats or elsewhere in the venue.
• Dedicated Lunch and Dinner Service: The menu and offerings are tailored for main meal times, serving both lunch and dinner crowds depending on the event schedule.
• Full Sandwich and Tenders Menu: Offering a wide range of gourmet chicken sandwiches, premium hand-breaded chicken tenders, and "Dunks" (boneless chicken pieces).
• Dessert and Beverage Bar: Serving a variety of hand-crafted ice cream shakes (including Vanilla, Chocolate, and Cookies & Cream) and fountain beverages.
• Catering Options: Platter-style offerings (like Dunks and Tenders platters) are available for larger groups, though these are typically arranged through the arena's foodservice provider.

Features / Highlights

Big Chicken distinguishes itself in the arena dining landscape through its celebrity backing, focus on premium ingredients, and highly creative menu.

• The 'Shaq Attack' Signature Sandwich: This is a key highlight, featuring premium chicken topped with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño slaw, and chipotle BBQ sauce for an "explosive flavor experience."
• Themed Menu Items: The menu tells a story, with sandwiches and sides named after aspects of Shaquille O'Neal's life and persona, adding an element of fun and novelty. This includes the Ultimate (topped with mac & cheese and crispy fried onions) and Lucille's Mac N' Cheese (named after Shaq's mom).
• Premium Chicken Quality: The commitment to serving preservative-free, humanely raised chicken with no hormones or antibiotics is a major selling point for discerning New York consumers.
• The 'Islander' Sandwich Collaboration: A unique local feature is the collaboration with a Long Island business, offering the "Islander" sandwich (Shaq's chicken on orange and blue bagels from Blue Line Deli & Bagels), specifically catering to New York Islanders fans.
• Gourmet Comfort Food: The restaurant takes traditional comfort food—fried chicken—and elevates it with chef-driven recipes and diverse, trending flavors, ensuring a better quality meal than typical fast food.

Contact Information

For general inquiries, information about arena-specific hours (which align with event schedules), or to confirm menu items, New York-area users can refer to the UBS Arena information.

Address: 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003, USA (Inside UBS Arena)

While a direct public phone number for the specific arena stand is not typically provided, the general arena contact information is the best route for non-event-day questions.

What is Worth Choosing

For New Yorkers visiting Big Chicken at UBS Arena, the experience is best defined by choosing one of the indulgent, signature sandwiches and pairing it with a rich side.

The first recommendation is always one of the colossal chicken sandwiches. You cannot go wrong with the Shaq Attack, which offers a perfect balance of spice, tang, and crunch with its pepper jack cheese, jalapeño slaw, and chipotle BBQ. For those who believe more is better, The Ultimate is a standout choice, loaded with creamy mac & cheese and crispy fried onions right on the sandwich—a true feast of textures and comfort. The Nashville Hot is essential for spice enthusiasts, offering a premium chicken fillet tossed in a hot oil and spices. Finally, fans should absolutely try the unique, locally inspired Islanders Sandwich, a special item created for the New York market.

To complete the meal, two sides are non-negotiable. Lucille's Mac N' Cheese, a three-cheese blend based on Shaq’s mother’s recipe, provides the ultimate creamy comfort food pairing. The Crinkle Cut Fries, seasoned with the signature fry spice, are a simple yet satisfying classic. Finally, consider a hand-crafted shake, like the Cookies & Cream Shake, to counteract the heat and richness of the sandwich. Despite the arena pricing, which is an accepted part of the venue dining landscape, the unique flavors, creative combinations, and the sheer "Big" size of the portions make Big Chicken a worthwhile splurge for a truly memorable meal during your event at UBS Arena.

Big Chicken

2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003, USA