The Honey Deuce — the U.S. Open’s iconic signature cocktail — faced fierce competition for the tennis tournament’s most popular menu item this year. Surrounded by greasy fried foods, the unexpected breakout star was a green bean bowl from the Tel Aviv-born eatery Miznon, according to the restaurant’s head.

Miznon, the pita chain founded in 2011 by Israeli chef Eyal Shani, set up shop at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the first time this year, featuring green beans served in a paper bag, a stand-in for fries, that have become an unexpected sensation — selling by the thousands and drawing lines so long that fans have taken to wandering the grounds in search of them, Liad Balki, Miznon’s head of operations, told Jewish Insider. 

For Miznon, which has locations around the globe including five across New York City — and opened its first Barclays Center location in Brooklyn earlier this year — the U.S. Open marks a new test: introducing its Israeli identity, without the restaurant’s usual blaring music (banned at the venue), to a sweaty, Honey Deuce and fast-food fueled crowd — and, if the demand holds, to bring the stand back next year.

“It’s been going crazy and amazing. As much as we prepared for what we were walking into, I think the volume [exceeded expectations],” Balki told JI during the final days of the two-week competition, held annually at the end of summer in Flushing Meadows, Queens.  

“It’s exciting to do this for the first time. We’re learning a lot. People are excited to see us there which gives us a lot of energy. God knows they sell a lot of these Honey Deuces and people drink and have fun there,” said Balki. 

The U.S. Open, which draws over 1 million attendees each year, has long catered to its Jewish fans by offering a dedicated, certified kosher food stand in the main food village. Balki said the appeal of the Miznon stand — which is not certified kosher (Miznon offers one kosher location in New York City, in Times Square) — offers something entirely different. While it may grab the attention of Jewish and Israeli fans who know Eyal Shani as a household name, it ultimately appeals to a wide range, from vegans to those looking for a healthier option.

Some people watch the tennis at the U.S. Open; others are there to spot the celebrities. Many of those VIPs gather in luxury corporate suites, some of which Miznon catered because — as Balki pointed out — they prefer not to stand in the regular food lines.

Menu offerings at the stand and for catering include a specially curated U.S. Open salad with fresh cut vegetables and herbs with schnitzel on top; a plate of hummus with falafel balls; a schnitzel pita; and perhaps most notably, the green beans. 

“The offering that we’re bringing is so different to the U.S. Open. There’s no other [fast-casual] Mediterranean food and no one in general is doing any fresh food, it’s all arena stadium food — mostly fried chicken and variations of hand-held foods. We’re doing green beans that have been in ridiculously high demand,” he continued. “Everyone is talking about the green beans. We’ve replaced french fries at the tournament by selling thousands of dishes of those green beans.”  

“Miznon food matches with the energy here,” said Balki. “It’s not a late-night tournament. People are here during the day and it’s so hot. They’re drinking too much and need something light to eat that will make them feel good, something that isn’t super heavy.” 

The stand opens amid rising antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in New York City, but Balki said he feels no need to downplay the restaurant’s Israeli roots. “All of the reactions we’ve gotten have been awesome. I haven’t come across anything negative,” he said. 

Could the presence actually benefit Israel’s image? “We’re thinking about that by not thinking about it,” he said, emphasizing that the staff is focused on bringing good service and a positive atmosphere.  

In Flushing Meadows, the Miznon stand also features a full bar slinging Honey Deuces — giving fans the perfect reason to linger by the grandstand after tracking down their green beans.