At Steuben’s, April 20 isn’t just about stoner-friendly foods. This year the kitchen turned the weed-focused holiday into a competition to create the best munchies around.
“Because we do not change our menu very often, our kitchen team has a really good time finding items that might fit our 4/20 specials menu,” said executive chef Sarah Goldstone. “This is a collaborative effort, and is always a lot of fun for our team.”
This year the one-day-only 4/20 menu includes Mellow Mules, Froot Loop Martinis, Meatloaf Mac-n-Cheese, Pizza Grilled Cheese, Dill Pickle Wings, Everything but the Pot Brownies, and Baklava “Blunts.” Pastry chef, who also runs the dessert program at Ace Eat Serve next door, Michael Kurowski created the “smoking blunts,” as well as the non-pot brownings.
“I wanted something that was playful for the ‘holiday’ and I love an alliteration, so I ran with the idea of Baklava Blunts,” said Kurowski. “Instead of creating layers of phyllo dough and nuts, why not roll it up to give the appearance of a rolled blunt.”
The brownie proves just as fun, with a mixture of sweet, chocolatey, salty, and crunchy nuances. The latter texture comes thanks to the addition of potato chips and pretzels, making those sweets the ultimate stoner food. However, added the chef, unlike the pot brownies of those college days, none of the items actually contain THC.
It’s not just Steuben’s getting into the spirit of 4/20. Black Box Bakery’s pastry chef Arielle Israel has created the Hot Cheez-It Croissant. Inside you’ll find a blend of parmesan and cheddar nestled in a crunchy, choco-style croissant and dusted with cheese powder. It’s only available on Saturday, so get there early and snag one. Yes, there will be a line.
Speaking of long lines, Bodega in Sunnyside plans to draw stoners and sobers starting Wednesday. First up, focaccia sandwiches stuffed with spinach artichoke dip, sundried tomato pesto, Fresno hot honey, and fried chicken picatta sausage. This tasty bite can als be made vegan. Thursday brings more goodies in the form of a Bodega blunt, aka hand pie, with house-made Nutella and banana jam. Go Friday for the Flight of the Concords, a hoagie sandwich with grape jelly meatballs, green papaya slaw and lemongrass aioli. Finally, for the big 4/20 show on Saturday, brunch warriors can order Breakfast Chalupas, a dish that brings the best parts of a sandwich, Frito pie, and tacos in one bite.
Also for the holiday, Temper Chocolates offers two munchi-inspired bonbons. Try both The Pineapple Express (filled with a caramelized pineapple-sage white chocolate ganache in a milk chocolate shell) and the Munchies (milk chocolate Nutella ganache with a soft brownie layer in a dark chocolate shell).
Of course the stoner-friendly Cheba Hut shines during 4/20, and it’s the perfect place to cure the munchies. In fact, on Saturday score food specials and enter giveaways at all locations. For example, the four-inch Nug Sub is only $4.20 all day long, and comes with a free Cheba Hut-branded frisbee.
For more deals, head over to Osaka Ramen for the 4/20-only “loaded bowl” special, pun intended. All ramen bowls cost $14.20 (normally $17 to $20). Diners can also get a side of mochi donuts or a Ikezo sake jelly shot for $4.20.
While these deals and items are only available on 4/20, the regular menu will also be offered. Don’t pass up the opportunity to try these funky treats on Saturday, without marijuana.
