What to Eat at Barclays Center, Home of the Nets

Jay-Z and Bruce Ratner's rust-colored sports spaceship offers concessions with a "Brooklyn taste." Guests can choose from things like artisan pickles, brisket banh mi sandwiches, Sicilian-style slices, and fancy hot dogs, as well as classic stadium treats like popcorn and pretzels. There are a lot of dining options in that weirdly-shaped building. Here's a guide to what to seek out at Barclays Center:

The Barclays Center's Five Standouts

L&B Spumoni Gardens: Fat, saucy Sicilian slices from the people behind the legendary Gravesend pizzeria. Although some people have complained that the crust and sauce-to-cheese-ratio is slightly off at the Barclays Center concession stand, this is still one of the best pieces of pizza that you will ever find at a sports stadium.
Calexico: The popular Brooklyn-based Mexican restaurant has two concession stands serving soft tacos stuffed with battered and fried fish. You can also order chips and guac, or a messy, but tasty nacho plate. Although this food is not exactly good for you, this is one of the lighter options at Barclays Center.
Brooklyn Bangers & Dogs: Sausages and hot dogs from Saul Bolton, the Michelin-starred chef behind Saul and Red Gravy. Make sure to order the white cheddar bratwurst, which has an unexpected, peppery kick.
Habana Outpost: A stand from the people behind Cafe Habana, offering sandwiches and corn on the cob. The gooey, pulled pork-stuffed Cubano might be the best sandwich at Barclays Center.
Fatty Cue BBQ: Zak Pelaccio and the team behind Fatty 'Cue and Fatty Crab have two concession stands at the stadium, both of which offer a few sandwiches plus a brisket-topped, extremely rich mac and cheese. Try the pulled pork, which is served on a banh mi bun with Brooklyn Brine pickles.

Ticketmaster Main Concourse:

Brooklyn Burger: Steakhouse burgers, fancy hot dogs, artisanal "made in Brooklyn" snacks, beer, and soda. [Section 3]
Calexico: Chips, guac, nachos, and fisch tacos from the popular Mexican restaurant, which has outposts in Red Hook and Greenpoint. [Section 3]
Avenue K Deli: Smoked meat sandwiches, knishes, black and white cookies, and kosher hot dogs. [Section 6]
Fatty Cue BBQ: Offers a handful of dishes inspired by Zak Pelaccio's critically acclaimed West Village Asian restaurant, including a pulled-pork sandwich on a "banh mi roll" with bread and butter pickles. The stand also offers a brisket sandwich, and a four-cheese mac and cheese made of queso blanco, gouda, fontina, and cheddar. [Section 7]
Brooklyn Bangers & Dogs: A sausage stand from Saul Bolton, of Saul and Red Gravy. The options include a classic Nathan's hot dog, as well as cheddar bratwursts and brisket dogs. [Section 8]
Paisano's Meat Market: Sandwiches from the people behind the beloved Smith Street butcher shop. Options including an Italian sausage sandwich and roasted tri-tip on ciabatta bread. [Section 10]
Bed Stuy Grill : Burgers, dogs, sodas, snacks, and beer. [Section 17]
Buffalo Boss: Wings and fries from the Downtown Brooklyn restaurant that's co-owned by Jay-Z. [Section 22]
Nathan's: A stand selling classic Nathan's franks, plus a "Brooklyn Dog" topped with Fatty 'Cue celery slaw, blue cheese from Stinky Bklyn, and Buffalo Boss sauce. [Section 24]
Habana Outpost: A Cubano sandwich stand from the owners of Cafe Habana and Habana Outpost. The sandwich is stuffed with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, and pickled, served hot. Nachos are also available. [Section 25]
Junior's, Blue Marble & More: A sweets stand selling Junior's cheesecake, red velvet cake, cupcakes, and scoops of Blue Marble Ice Cream. Order the concrete made with Blue Marble soft serve and hunks of Junior's cheesecake. [Section 26]
Fresco's by Scotto: Chicken meatball sliders, plus gorgonzola-topped potato and zucchini chips, from the family behind Midtown's Fesco by Scotto. [Section 29]
Brooklyn Burger: Steakhouse burgers, fancy hot dogs, artisanal "made in Brooklyn" snacks, beer, and soda. [Section 29]

Barclays Suite Level:

The suite level has four concessions stands named after different Brooklyn neighborhoods: Fort Greene Grill, Clinton Hill Burgers, Park Slope Burgers, and Williamsburg Grill. They offer things like hot dogs, burgers, fries, popcorn, Brooklyn artisan snacks, beer, and soda. If you want to try the best of Barclays Center, stick with the concessions on the Ticketmaster Concourse.

Metro PCS Upper Pavilion:

L&B Spumoni Gardens: Sicilian slices and classic New York Slices from the famed Gravesend pizzeria. [Section 206/207]
Nathan's: A stand selling classic Nathan's franks, plus a "Brooklyn Dog" topped with Fatty 'Cue celery slaw, blue cheese from Stinky Bklyn, and Buffalo Boss sauce. [Section 206/207]
Habana Outpost: A Cubano sandwich stand from the owners of Cafe Habana and Habana Outpost. The sandwich is stuffed with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, and pickled, served hot. Nachos are also available. [Section 209/210]
Brooklyn Burger: Steakhouse burgers, fancy hot dogs, artisanal "made in Brooklyn" snacks, beer, and soda. [Section 209/210]
Prospect Height's Grill [Section 222/223]
Fatty Cue BBQ: Offers a handful of dishes inspired by Zak Pelaccio's critically acclaimed West Village Asian restaurant, including a pulled-pork sandwich on a "banh mi roll" with bread and butter pickles. The stand also offers a brisket sandwich, and a four-cheese mac and cheese made of queso blanco, gouda, fontina, and cheddar. [Section 222/223]
Brooklyn Bangers & Dogs: A sausage stand from Saul Bolton, of Saul and Red Gravy. The options include a classic Nathan's hot dog, as well as cheddar bratwursts and brisket dogs. [Section 225/226]
L&B Spumoni Gardens: Sicilian slices and classic New York Slices from the famed Gravesend pizzeria [Section 225/226]

And, for those that want a sit-down experience, Barclays Center also has a location of Jay-Z's upscale sports bar, 40/40 Club. It is the only table-service restaurant in the stadium. Reservations suggested.

And new for 2013, look for Eater's tips on Foursquare at Barclays Center and other New York City stadiums and arenas.
· All Coverage of Barclays Center [~ENY~]

Barclays Center

Atlantic Avenue at Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY