Potato salad is showing up across city menus as outdoor dining picks up this May. At West Side Greenmarket, vendors reported higher sales of Yukon Gold and red potatoes on Friday morning, with several customers citing picnic plans. Popular delis in Astoria and Flatbush are offering new versions featuring dill, scallions, and hard-boiled eggs.
At lunchtime on Thursday, a steady line formed at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop on Fifth Avenue, where the classic potato salad is made with celery and mustard. Prices hovered around $5 for a side serving. Staff said demand increases ahead of Memorial Day weekend, as customers prepare for cookouts and park gatherings.
Some restaurants are adapting potato salad for weekday dinner service. Chef Angela Kim at the Lower East Side’s Pearl Table is serving a Korean-inspired version with sesame oil and pickled radish. She notes that diners are ordering it as a shareable starter with grilled meats.
Food retailers expect the trend to hold through June graduation parties and outdoor festivals. At Union Square, a produce manager said he expects to restock potatoes twice as often in the coming weeks. With warmer weather, the city’s appetite for potato salad appears steady.