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Brooklyn Dumpling Shop started obviously in Brooklyn, NY, you would think, but the original location was in the East Village… that’s in Manhattan, not Brooklyn, but is now spreading its roots out to other boroughs, Long Island, and I don’t think they will stop there. The concept is straight from the past, yet timely in this Age of COVID-19. The restaurant is entirely contactless. Don’t expect a full-on restaurant. The menu is limited to Dumplings, the likes of which you’ve never seen before. More on that later; Combo Meals, which includes Dumplings and either White Rice or Waffle Fries; Chop Chop Bowls, which are combination platters with chicken; And desserts. You can also pick up frozen dumplings in bulk, and Bowls.
This evening we decided to go to the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop at their location at 684 Stewart Ave, Garden City, NY, 11530
When you walk in there’s a menu on the wall above what looks like a wall of microwaves. Out of those so-called looking microwaves is where you pick up your food when it’s ready.
The Set-up
You can order either through the kiosk, which is where the lone-visible employee is available to assist. Or, you can order through their smartphone app.
Conveniently located between the kiosk and the pickup point, is their merch for sale. You can watch the status of your order on the wallboard, and also check out more of their branding.
The restaurant setup isn’t really conducive to dining in, though here is the shelf with stools, and two long tables also with stools which you can eat at.
The Delivery
Finally, your cellphone vibrates (for goodness sake, it’s common courtesy to have your phone on vibrate, and not annoying songs. </rant over> You scan the QR Code on your phone, or the barcode on your receipt, and the “microwave” associated with your order magically appears. It’s the modern-day automat.
Lest you’re not familiar with the automat concept, they give you this historical full wall-size image, that makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time, when life was simpler. I miss the good old days.
Out comes your food on a tray… each labeled but lacking details to let you know whose box is whose.
MAC & CHEESE? Yes, that’s only one of their specialty dumplings. Also offered are:
- Chicken Parmesan
- Cheesesteak
- Bacon Cheeseburger
- Lamb Gyro
- Buffalo Chicken
- Pepperoni Pizza
- Reuben
- Korean BBQ Beef
If you’re not that adventurous, you can also have traditional dumplings,
- Vegetable Potstickers
- Pork & Cabbage Potstickers
- Chicken Teriyaki Potstickers
- Steamed Pork Buns
- Crispy Pork
- Pork & Chives
- Steamed Shrimp and Vegetable Shumai, or
- Kung Pao Chicken
Your dumplings can be seared or crispy. We tried each:
You can’t mix your order, but there’s nothing stopping you from taking one from one box and putting it in the other!
Both dumplings were excellent. I would give a slight nod to the crispy if I were to order again. The Dumpling King said the Mac & Cheese Dumplings were actually excellent. He said we had to order one. I declined, so he stepped up.
The Windup
Maybe. Hence, we rate Brooklyn Dumpling Shop three dumplings (out of a max of five).
—Mee Magnum (“Chop! Chop!”)
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