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Twenty five years ago today, Darryl Strawberry hit three home runs for the New York Mets in a game against the Chicago Cubs. Fast forward to 2010 and the former Mets, Yankees and "Celebrity Apprentice" star is hoping for another big hit with the opening off Strawberry's Sports Grill today in Douglaston, Queens. Whatever happens with the restaurant, the friends and family party Wednesday was success: The guests included "Bachelorette" star Ali Fedotowsky and her new man, Robert Martinez, reigning Miss U.S.A. Rima Fakih, former New York Knicks star John Starks, and former New York Yankees greats Whitey Ford, Bernie Williams, and Tino Martinez.
So what can we expect from the one-time Rookie of the Year's rookie venture as a restaurateur? Slashfood sat down for a one-on-one with Strawberry to find out...
SF: How did this all come about?
DS: [Through] my friend [restaurateur] Eytan [Sugarman]. I met him through [former Yankees teammate] Charlie Hayes back in the day. He had been talking to me about the restaurant business for the last couple of years but I was not interested. He owns Southern Hospitality so I spent a lot of time eating there and I loved the food. It was unbelievable. We talked about the possibility of opening a restaurant in New York but I said I wasn't interested in Manhattan. So he called me a few months ago and said he found a place and I'm going to love it. I said, "I told you I didn't want to do a place in Manhattan." "No, this is in Queens," he said. "Queens?" I said, "Now you're talking." It just felt right. This area is home -- my roots and background, everything I've done -- I know Queens well. So I came and looked at the place with my wife and I said, this could work. It's a great place, a great neighborhood.
SF: How will you separate yourself from other athlete-restaurateurs?
DS: I wanted to make it fun -- that's the most important thing. First, I wanted to have good food, but I wanted to make it fun. A place where people go not only to see my name on the wall of the restaurant and see pictures, but I'm here, they can interact with me. I'm not some type of person who's going to open a restaurant and never be around to greet people. I think that's really the most important thing. I'm a people person -- I'm not just going to stand around in the background and make a living off of it. I want to be around the fans, I want to be around the people.
SF: Do you live in New York now?
DS: I have a place in the city but I live in Missouri.
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Strawberrys Sports Grill
Strawberry's Locker from Shea Stadium
Middle dining room decorated with signed Mets & Yankees jerseys
The dining room
Darryl and Strawberry's Sports Grill co-owner Eytan Sugarman
Revelers line up for entry to the star studded Friends & Family party
SF: So when can the fans expect to see you here?
DS: For the first six months I'm going to be around a lot. I made that commitment since day one when I decided that I wanted to go down this road and become a restaurant owner.
SF: Do you find yourself evaluating other restaurants in a different way now?
DS: I don't like to worry about what other places are doing. I want to keep it focused on what we're doing.
SF: If you have success here, are you thinking about expansion?
DS: It's a possibility but we're taking it one step at a time.
SF: There are a lot of similarities between the menu here and at Southern Hospitality. Was this your decision or Eytan's?
DS: It was both of us. If we're going to have a restaurant with great food, you want it to be like Southern Hospitality -- the food is great!
SF: Is there a single menu item at Strawberry's that excites you the most?
DS: There are so many good things. The collard greens will be great. The cornbread will be great. The burgers will be great. A solid burger menu, very unique. And you know what? It's affordable. You want people to come in and enjoy themselves.
SF: Did you eat this type of food when you were training as a player?
DS: Of course!
SF: All of it?
DS: All of it! No question. It's not fattening. Just a typical place where we go as athletes. This is a good atmosphere.
SF: If you had to set up a meal from appetizer to entree to dessert at Strawberry's, what would it be?
DS: That's tough. There are so many good options. I think I'd just go right for the strawberry shake and fried Twinkies! I had some the other day with my daughters and they loved it. I said "What is that?" They said try it so I did and it was unbelievable. You need to eat those Twinkies fast, while their hot.
SF: If it was Darryl Strawberry's last meal on the planet what's on his plate?
DS: Collard greens, cornbread, mac and cheese. Classic. And you know you're going to get full.
Strawberry's Sports Grill 42-15 235th Street Douglaston, NY 11363 (718) 517-8787
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8-08-2010 @6:57AM bruce Williams said... first three comments from the same scamming spammer and they get by the moderator, and I'll bet mine is censored.
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8-08-2010 @7:01AM Glenn Posner said... Exciting...Will guests recieve complimentary cocaine?
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8-08-2010 @7:24AM gary said... Glenn, obviously you have not followed Darryl over the past few years. The drug stuff is a thing of the distant past. If you have seen, read or heard any of his recent interviews, you will know that he has matured into a fine gentleman. Based upon your post, I doubt the same can be said of you!!
8-08-2010 @4:16PM jbackfromiraq said... Glenn, fkn funny!!! Seriously though, would a crackhead be giving away any free coke? Also, to all those saying that he has turned his life around..... I doubt it. Just look at how "cracked out" his face looks.
8-09-2010 @12:36AM Woody said... @King David, Pete Rose was banned for lying to the commissioner about gambling on baseball, if he would of fessed up at the Start he would be in right now, and i hope one day he will.
8-08-2010 @10:17AM Edward said... Good Luck Daryll on your restaurant. I hope you do well and that you will expand. If I ever get back to NY I will certainly stop by and enjoy the menu. Hopefully I will get a chance to meet you and wish you luck in person.
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8-08-2010 @10:13AM Howard said... I wish you all the luck in the world you deserve.
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8-08-2010 @10:26AM JD said... Good for him, one of the most likeable guys ever, and what an athlete, great ballplayer. Conratulations and best wishes on your new venture, and thanks for all the great memories when you played.
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8-08-2010 @10:31AM sweetpea said... Did he REALLY say the food on his menu was not fattening? Milkshakes, burgers, mac-n-cheese, fried twinkies??????
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8-08-2010 @10:22PM paul said... He's from Tampa, Florida.
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8-08-2010 @3:51PM h.diff said... i too thought that Darryl is from S.Ca---remember Sutter Jr.High school??????
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8-08-2010 @4:08PM Jack said... Well I like the strawberry shortcake.
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8-08-2010 @5:11PM heatonr6 said... are you joking?
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8-08-2010 @5:10PM Dorothy said... Darryl Strawberry ... All the best of luck with your Restaurant ... You are a great Guy and a great Ballplayer ..... Happy for you ...
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8-13-2010 @1:37PM heatonr6 said... me to
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8-09-2010 @7:09PM MIKE25558 said... I WISH IT THE BEST I LOVED DARREL AS A PLAYER, GOD TURNED ALOT OF WORLDLY PEOPLE AROUND. GOD TURNED DARREL AROUND ALSO.
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8-08-2010 @5:46PM Yep I Said It said... For dessert, you'll each be given a crack pipe and brillo with 10 huge cracks rocks!
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8-08-2010 @6:56PM Jules Childe said... Strawberry's woes were 15 or 20 years ago; cut the man some slack for trying a new gig and making a living. Glass houses, people, glass houses!
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8-08-2010 @7:11PM Patti said... Ok..I hope to see one in St. Louis too now..wink wink hint hint
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8-08-2010 @9:17PM Dolson said... I watched Strawberry play in the lower class team in Jackson, Ms. He was just awesome and a delight to watch because you knew he was "it"! When he let his life life go down the tubes with drugs during his major league days you could only ask why???
To Darryl, I can say; good luck and God bless you. Not everyone gets another chance. Work hard, stay clean, and respect the life and chances you have been given.
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