Marathon Cafe
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OK, I'm finally ready to give my review! I moved to Little Neck earlier this year and have been coming to Marathon Cafe pretty often. I was ready to give it 5 stars after my first few visits, but I wanted to try as many dishes as possible before rushing a review. After several visits, I'd confidently give it 4.5 stars. Here's everything I've tried and what I'd recommend: Beef Macaroni with Egg: A million times YES!!! Believe the hype because it's every bit as good as everyone says! It's the ultimate comfort food. The cellentani pasta is an elite choice, cooked perfectly al dente and coated in a sweet, thick, tangy tomato sauce that's flavorful without being overly acidic. This is an absolute must order! Creamed Corn with Fried Fish: Don't knock it until you try it! The creamed corn is thick, smooth, and naturally sweet, while the fish is perfectly crispy without being overcooked. It sounds like an unusual combination, but somehow it works incredibly well together. Tom Yum Seafood Noodle Soup: The broth is tangy, slightly sweet, and very comforting. I personally would've liked it a bit spicier, but it was still delicious. It also comes with large shrimps and mussels. Rice Rolls with Fish Balls & Turnip: A Cantonese staple done right! The rice rolls are soft and bouncy, served with the perfect balance of peanut sauce and hoisin. The turnip is tender, and everything comes together really well. Bolo Yau (Pineapple Bun with Butter): The pineapple bun is warm, fluffy, and flaky. Honestly, it's delicious even on its own. The thick slab of butter melts quickly, which makes it a little too oily... Drinks: The iced Hong Kong milk tea and the red bean ice are classic Cantonese staples. You really can't come here without ordering one. What I wasn't crazy about: Lava French Toast: Too crunchy and slightly burnt. It tasted over caramelized, with just too much going on. Not for me! Thick Egg & Spam Sandwich: Nothing special. It was pretty bland, and honestly, it's something you could easily make at home. Not worth the $7. Scallion Chicken over Rice: I don't really understand the hype for this one... The poached chicken itself was a little bland and could've used a little more salt. The ginger scallion sauce usually makes this dish, but here it did the opposite. The scallions were chopped too thick instead of finely minced, so all I tasted was scallion, nothing else. :/ Fried Pork Chop & Cheese with Curry Sauce: It was just OK. I wasn't a fan of the curry sauce. What I would recommend instead is ordering the fried pork chop on the side with their pepper sauce. I paired them together myself, and it was much better! For now, I've tried everything that was on my list, but I'll definitely keep coming back for my favorites. One thing I really appreciate is how consistent they've been with every visit. The portions are generous for the price, and overall it's a place I'd highly recommend if you're looking for solid Hong Kong style comfort food.
pretty limited menu but was expecting yummy food since they prob specialize in the few entrees and was not disappointed. Would definitely come back for their drinks and French toasts. Would love to try their crispy fish cream corn over rice next time. The portion sizes are very generous and shareable! The self serve is only for utensils and clean up after you finish dining and they bring your order to your table.
YUM. I'm so sad i didn't go into this place sooner! I always see it driving by but so glad I had the chance to try it. Paid at the cash register, they accept Apple Pay. they deliver to your table. Laid back place and authentic. Iced milk tea had a strong tea flavor and not watered down. Steamed rice rolls and fish balls with turnip (actually could skip the turnip) had an abundance of sauce, was delicious. The spicy beef stew wasn't spicy spicy and just enough spice where it was tangy and enjoyable. The beef was very soft and the noodles were surprisingly flavored and soft. They even gave us some pickled garnish? On the side for the soup and it tasted perfect on top of the beef and noodles. Can't wait to try the other things on the menu.
My new favorite spot. The moment you walk in, you'll feel transported back to a Hong Kong cafe--no frills, just good food. Went midday on a post holiday and it was full of people. It was so lively with every table conversing coupled with Chinese news channels playing in the background. You grab a table, and order from the counter. They'll bring you your food but everything else is self-serve, so no tip. Staff were friendly. Food: it was amazing! The famous Scallion chicken was perfect. Each bite was succulent and juicy, complemented with the light scallion condiment and sweet soy sauce. It also comes with a side of radish soup. Everything about this dish was homey and delicious. The other dish I got was a fatty beef with tomato-based noodle soup and an onsen egg. Classic flavors. Can't go wrong with both dishes. Portions are pretty large and I see everyone taking some food to go.
My friends and I came here on a Saturday afternoon around 1pm and managed to get the last available table. The place has a hole in the wall vibe and it's self serve so you'll grab a table, order in the front counter and then grab all the plates and utensils you need. They do bring to food to your table. The portions are huge for its price. My favorite was the bolo Yau. It was so crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I love that they didn't overload the butter. I'll definitely come back.
It's been opened for more than 3 years but it's my first time visiting. Plenty of street side residential parking. It's a small store on a side street. It's easily missed if you don't pay attention. There wasn't much pedestrian traffic either. Business is mainly depends on spread of words from returning customers. Right opposite from the cafe is Jmart Chinese grocery store which is convenient. Cafe closes 6 pm daily. Self service. No tips needed. Service: wait staff was very friendly. Food time was quick. Owners stopped by the table and started conversation. It was karaoke time when we walked in. Food: - their milk tea was highly recommended to us. So four of us tried the hot and cold milk tea and hot milk tea / coffee combo. All of them were very rich in flavor and smooth, exactly what a milk tea should be. $4.75 for a 12 oz hot milk tea is reasonable. - French toast with peanut butter: Love the syrup that it came with. It has a distinct refreshing flavor with delighted sweetness. Definitely different from other syrup from other places which is just pure sweetness. Owner told us the syrup was imported from England. Highly recommended! - turnip, fish ball, rice roll: 3 in one bowl. Portion is enough to share - scallion chicken: It was recommended to me also. It was indeed very tender and flavorful. $24 for half a chicken with one quart of soup. Conclusion: will definitely return. Even just stopping by to pick up a flavorful milk tea which is cheaper than a sugary bubble tea.
My family has been raving about this place for awhile. I've been wanting to see what it's about! Came on a Saturday afternoon and it was buzzing! Luckily, we grabbed the last available table for 5 people before a huge swarm of people followed. They do not have a private parking lot but we found parking in the residential area behind it (on a slope). Upon walking in, the employees do help you find a table but once you get seated, you have to obtain your own plates, utensils, and napkins. That's why there's no tip required! They do bring the food out to your table though. They are known for their scallion chicken which is so fresh, soft, and flavorful. It also comes with radish soup that's very good. The peanut butter rice rolls with fish balls were decent, but I prefer curry fish balls. We also shared two other rice dishes - the baked pork chop and the corn fish. Both were very good and the portions are huge. We also got a pineapple Bun which comes with a thick slab of butter. The outside shell was not as crispy as I would want it to be. As for the drinks, they are known for their Hong Kong Style Milk Tea which is very strong. I thought the red bean ice was ok, a bit too liquidy for me. The honey Lemon is good. Will definitely be back for their yummy chicken!!
Excellent Hong Kong restaurant. Self serving and very inexpensive, but food is great especially chicken and French toast.
So glad to have been recommended Marathon Cafe! I'm a huge fan of HK style cha chaan tang. This spot isn't too far from me, which makes it even better! Not to mention, service is super friendly and food is simple, yet delish, exactly why I love HK-style grub! Their HK milk tea, sandwiches, cheung fun and fish balls, plus soupy entrees are all amazing. Gotta mention how LOADED their sandwiches are and how unique some items are on their menu - like the bolo bau burger, which I havent tried but will some day!
Ooooooooweeee! This is kinda like a hole in the wall spot located right on the corner. You walk in and it smells like cat piss ngl. But the food? Absolutely delish!!! The chicken rice is to die for. I've had good chicken rice before but this? Out of this world. It was so good that I had to buy 2 more to go for my parents. The filet corn on rice was freshly made piping hot. We got here when it just opened and it was already somewhat busy with takeout orders along with people seated ready to eat. You order and pay in the front first and then they will bring you the food.
We've always been on short end of the stick during our attempts to dine here--it's usually packed during weekend lunch. But we finally dragged ourselves to beat the rush and it didn't disappoint. It's hard to find HK-style cha chan tangs in NYC, especially in Queens. By no means is it fancy on the slightest but that's the true essence of cha chan tangs--no frills, quick, and a bit dingy. My family was surprised at the large portions and at such good prices (no more than $18 being the most expensive item) that we either couldn't even finish most of the food or had to force ourselves to. I didn't love that they serve the food in plastic containers but they probably do this, expecting people to not finish and take the rest to go. I had the Tomato Beef Macaroni Soup and it was perfect for the cold, rainy day we came in on. Generous portions of beef, too. Also had a pineapple bun with butter and they both were okay. Obviously, they don't make the drinks in true HK fashion with a pantyhose but it was good for what it was. The service was nice--family run and you pay first, though I think they were a bit overstimulated by our group of 4 (which isn't big to begin with) and made a few errors on our orders, so definitely not a place to bring a large group to. In my opinion, this place is worth the commute but they're opening a location in Flushing very soon so there's no reason to make the complex travel to Little Neck.
Located on the corner of a residential area. The Marathon Cafe is a sweet little taste of the "chaan tengs" of Hong Kong. The menu is simple offering traditional style Cantonese comfort food. Their Hong Kong-style milk tea is perfectly brewed, striking an ideal balance between strong black tea and creamy evaporated milk (They use the black and white brand evaporated milk which IMHO tastes the best) My favorite entrees here are: * Beef macaroni soup with egg. Delicate cuts of beef wth a savory and velvety delicious tomato based broth. * Pork cutlet in curry sauce - the chop is moist and smothered in yellow curry on a bed of rice with broccoli and carrots * Cream corn fish - fish fried perfectly and drenched in creamy corn sauce over a bed of rice * French toast - Coated in sweet and delicious peanut butter. The portions are generous, the flavors authentic, and the prices are remarkably fair for such a nice size portion. Parking is limited in the area, and if you park way up the hilly dead end street on Beechknoll Ave, be forewarned. The hilly street is not a challenge walking down, as Miley Cyrus sang "It's the climb" The trek up was invigorating, to say the least. Halfway there, you may question all your life choices, including why you didn't just order takeout. Who knew you would be signing up for an impromptu cardio workout as it may feel like a workout, all that's missing are volunteers offering up cups of water on the walk-up. Marathon cafe is definitely worth the extra cardio and make sure you don't skip leg day at the gym as the food is simply delicious!
This Hong Kong style cafe is a hidden gem located in Little Neck. The atmosphere provided a cozy, casual and clean feel as we took our first few steps through the front door. The owner and staffs were friendly and welcoming. We've been here 2-3 times previously and loved how there were a variety of choices to choose from, whether you want rice & noodles dishes, eastern/western foods (with a twist of hk/chinese style by using bolo sweet bun as a bun for those burgers), toast and desserts, savory snacks (e.g. thick egg sandwiches, rice rolls w. fish balls and turnips), and there is a whole page of menu dedicated to the chef's choice. My boyfriend ordered the crispy pork chop & cheese in fresh tomato sauce over rice, while I've ordered the scallion chicken over rice and the hk style milk tea. I've tried my boyfriend's dish. The crispy pork chop was absolutely my favorite. It was super crispy and tender on the inside. The tomato sauce wasn't overpowering nor too strong and adds a little sweetness to the plain white rice. The scallion chicken was juicy but it was a bit more oily than what I'm used to at home. I finished the entire bowl, though so it was definitely still good! Lastly, I wanted to try their hot hk style milk tea. It didn't disappoint because I loved it so much and would recommend others to try it. Definitely coming back again to try different menu items.
2 months ago
4.5 stars! TLDR: $137 for 6 people. affordable pricing! there were leftovers! no tips establishment, customers are Cantonese heavy. 3% credit card surcharge. closed Wednesdays! $15.95 Scallion chicken over rice w/ soup of the day (MSRP $8) $15.95 thai style pig knuckle noodle soup (uses wheat noodles) $18.95 tom yum seafood rice noodle soup (uses ho fun) $8.95 OG french toast $9.95 HK french toast (extra dollar is peanut butter addition) $13.95 creamy corn w fried fish over rice $5.50 cold ying tang milk tea coffee $13.95 pineapple bun fish fillet sando w/ fries $17.95 ox tongue spaghetti as many customers have noted, some dishes have generous portions like the cream corn/fish rice & pineapple bun fish sandwich with fries. the food is overall great and not too salty. the coffee x milk tea is great as well. their thai style dishes like the tom yum noodle soups are sweet centric and more tomato-esque. the french toasts are not super moist (more on the dry/crispy side). i thoroughly enjoyed this spot and would come back. the lady who seated us was accommodating and allowed us to wait in the take out area (they are 2 fun hannah montana foldable chairs - very cute). some negatives - street parking is hard but tolerable! scallion sauce on chicken & rice has little ginger (heavy on scallion). food isnt piping hot but medium hot in temperature. spacing is tight try this place out! read more
Cute little HK-themed cafe in Little Neck. We ordered the pig knuckle over rice, tom yum seafood with rice noodles, and a cooked salmon salad. This was my second time here, and the food quality was lower than my first visit. The pig knuckle wasn't as soft or flavorful as I'd hoped. The salmon salad, which I loved on my first visit, felt a little dry this time around. The tom yum seafood with rice noodles was the star dish of the afternoon -- sweet, flavorful, and packed with a generous amount of seafood. Keep in mind this dish is only available on weekends. I'd come back a third time just for the tom yum soup. Service was good and the staff were attentive. Note: you order and pay at the register, and the waitress brings the food to your table. read more
2 months ago
OK, I'm finally ready to give my review! I moved to Little Neck earlier this year and have been coming to Marathon Cafe pretty often. I was ready to give it 5 stars after my first few visits, but I wanted to try as many dishes as possible before rushing a review. After several visits, I'd confidently give it 4.5 stars. Here's everything I've tried and what I'd recommend: Beef Macaroni with Egg: A million times YES!!! Believe the hype because it's every bit as good as everyone says! It's the ultimate comfort food. The cellentani pasta is an elite choice, cooked perfectly al dente and coated in a sweet, thick, tangy tomato sauce that's flavorful without being overly acidic. This is an absolute must order! Creamed Corn with Fried Fish: Don't knock it until you try it! The creamed corn is thick, smooth, and naturally sweet, while the fish is perfectly crispy without being overcooked. It sounds like an unusual combination, but somehow it works incredibly well together. Tom Yum Seafood Noodle Soup: The broth is tangy, slightly sweet, and very comforting. I personally would've liked it a bit spicier, but it was still delicious. It also comes with large shrimps and mussels. Rice Rolls with Fish Balls & Turnip: A Cantonese staple done right! The rice rolls are soft and bouncy, served with the perfect balance of peanut sauce and hoisin. The turnip is tender, and everything comes together really well. Bolo Yau (Pineapple Bun with Butter): The pineapple bun is warm, fluffy, and flaky. Honestly, it's delicious even on its own. The thick slab of butter melts quickly, which makes it a little too oily... Drinks: The iced Hong Kong milk tea and the red bean ice are classic Cantonese staples. You really can't come here without ordering one. What I wasn't crazy about: Lava French Toast: Too crunchy and slightly burnt. It tasted over caramelized, with just too much going on. Not for me! Thick Egg & Spam Sandwich: Nothing special. It was pretty bland, and honestly, it's something you could easily make at home. Not worth the $7. Scallion Chicken over Rice: I don't really understand the hype for this one... The poached chicken itself was a little bland and could've used a little more salt. The ginger scallion sauce usually makes this dish, but here it did the opposite. The scallions were chopped too thick instead of finely minced, so all I tasted was scallion, nothing else. :/ Fried Pork Chop & Cheese with Curry Sauce: It was just OK. I wasn't a fan of the curry sauce. What I would recommend instead is ordering the fried pork chop on the side with their pepper sauce. I paired them together myself, and it was much better! For now, I've tried everything that was on my list, but I'll definitely keep coming back for my favorites. One thing I really appreciate is how consistent they've been with every visit. The portions are generous for the price, and overall it's a place I'd highly recommend if you're looking for solid Hong Kong style comfort food. read more
pretty limited menu but was expecting yummy food since they prob specialize in the few entrees and was not disappointed. Would definitely come back for their drinks and French toasts. Would love to try their crispy fish cream corn over rice next time. The portion sizes are very generous and shareable! The self serve is only for utensils and clean up after you finish dining and they bring your order to your table. read more
YUM. I'm so sad i didn't go into this place sooner! I always see it driving by but so glad I had the chance to try it. Paid at the cash register, they accept Apple Pay. they deliver to your table. Laid back place and authentic. Iced milk tea had a strong tea flavor and not watered down. Steamed rice rolls and fish balls with turnip (actually could skip the turnip) had an abundance of sauce, was delicious. The spicy beef stew wasn't spicy spicy and just enough spice where it was tangy and enjoyable. The beef was very soft and the noodles were surprisingly flavored and soft. They even gave us some pickled garnish? On the side for the soup and it tasted perfect on top of the beef and noodles. Can't wait to try the other things on the menu. read more
10 months ago
My new favorite spot. The moment you walk in, you'll feel transported back to a Hong Kong cafe--no frills, just good food. Went midday on a post holiday and it was full of people. It was so lively with every table conversing coupled with Chinese news channels playing in the background. You grab a table, and order from the counter. They'll bring you your food but everything else is self-serve, so no tip. Staff were friendly. Food: it was amazing! The famous Scallion chicken was perfect. Each bite was succulent and juicy, complemented with the light scallion condiment and sweet soy sauce. It also comes with a side of radish soup. Everything about this dish was homey and delicious. The other dish I got was a fatty beef with tomato-based noodle soup and an onsen egg. Classic flavors. Can't go wrong with both dishes. Portions are pretty large and I see everyone taking some food to go. read more
My friends and I came here on a Saturday afternoon around 1pm and managed to get the last available table. The place has a hole in the wall vibe and it's self serve so you'll grab a table, order in the front counter and then grab all the plates and utensils you need. They do bring to food to your table. The portions are huge for its price. My favorite was the bolo Yau. It was so crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I love that they didn't overload the butter. I'll definitely come back. read more
It's been opened for more than 3 years but it's my first time visiting. Plenty of street side residential parking. It's a small store on a side street. It's easily missed if you don't pay attention. There wasn't much pedestrian traffic either. Business is mainly depends on spread of words from returning customers. Right opposite from the cafe is Jmart Chinese grocery store which is convenient. Cafe closes 6 pm daily. Self service. No tips needed. Service: wait staff was very friendly. Food time was quick. Owners stopped by the table and started conversation. It was karaoke time when we walked in. Food: - their milk tea was highly recommended to us. So four of us tried the hot and cold milk tea and hot milk tea / coffee combo. All of them were very rich in flavor and smooth, exactly what a milk tea should be. $4.75 for a 12 oz hot milk tea is reasonable. - French toast with peanut butter: Love the syrup that it came with. It has a distinct refreshing flavor with delighted sweetness. Definitely different from other syrup from other places which is just pure sweetness. Owner told us the syrup was imported from England. Highly recommended! - turnip, fish ball, rice roll: 3 in one bowl. Portion is enough to share - scallion chicken: It was recommended to me also. It was indeed very tender and flavorful. $24 for half a chicken with one quart of soup. Conclusion: will definitely return. Even just stopping by to pick up a flavorful milk tea which is cheaper than a sugary bubble tea. read more
1 year ago
My family has been raving about this place for awhile. I've been wanting to see what it's about! Came on a Saturday afternoon and it was buzzing! Luckily, we grabbed the last available table for 5 people before a huge swarm of people followed. They do not have a private parking lot but we found parking in the residential area behind it (on a slope). Upon walking in, the employees do help you find a table but once you get seated, you have to obtain your own plates, utensils, and napkins. That's why there's no tip required! They do bring the food out to your table though. They are known for their scallion chicken which is so fresh, soft, and flavorful. It also comes with radish soup that's very good. The peanut butter rice rolls with fish balls were decent, but I prefer curry fish balls. We also shared two other rice dishes - the baked pork chop and the corn fish. Both were very good and the portions are huge. We also got a pineapple Bun which comes with a thick slab of butter. The outside shell was not as crispy as I would want it to be. As for the drinks, they are known for their Hong Kong Style Milk Tea which is very strong. I thought the red bean ice was ok, a bit too liquidy for me. The honey Lemon is good. Will definitely be back for their yummy chicken!! read more
3 months ago
Excellent Hong Kong restaurant. Self serving and very inexpensive, but food is great especially chicken and French toast. read more
So glad to have been recommended Marathon Cafe! I'm a huge fan of HK style cha chaan tang. This spot isn't too far from me, which makes it even better! Not to mention, service is super friendly and food is simple, yet delish, exactly why I love HK-style grub! Their HK milk tea, sandwiches, cheung fun and fish balls, plus soupy entrees are all amazing. Gotta mention how LOADED their sandwiches are and how unique some items are on their menu - like the bolo bau burger, which I havent tried but will some day! read more
4 months ago
11 months ago
Ooooooooweeee! This is kinda like a hole in the wall spot located right on the corner. You walk in and it smells like cat piss ngl. But the food? Absolutely delish!!! The chicken rice is to die for. I've had good chicken rice before but this? Out of this world. It was so good that I had to buy 2 more to go for my parents. The filet corn on rice was freshly made piping hot. We got here when it just opened and it was already somewhat busy with takeout orders along with people seated ready to eat. You order and pay in the front first and then they will bring you the food. read more
We've always been on short end of the stick during our attempts to dine here--it's usually packed during weekend lunch. But we finally dragged ourselves to beat the rush and it didn't disappoint. It's hard to find HK-style cha chan tangs in NYC, especially in Queens. By no means is it fancy on the slightest but that's the true essence of cha chan tangs--no frills, quick, and a bit dingy. My family was surprised at the large portions and at such good prices (no more than $18 being the most expensive item) that we either couldn't even finish most of the food or had to force ourselves to. I didn't love that they serve the food in plastic containers but they probably do this, expecting people to not finish and take the rest to go. I had the Tomato Beef Macaroni Soup and it was perfect for the cold, rainy day we came in on. Generous portions of beef, too. Also had a pineapple bun with butter and they both were okay. Obviously, they don't make the drinks in true HK fashion with a pantyhose but it was good for what it was. The service was nice--family run and you pay first, though I think they were a bit overstimulated by our group of 4 (which isn't big to begin with) and made a few errors on our orders, so definitely not a place to bring a large group to. In my opinion, this place is worth the commute but they're opening a location in Flushing very soon so there's no reason to make the complex travel to Little Neck. read more
2 years ago
Located on the corner of a residential area. The Marathon Cafe is a sweet little taste of the "chaan tengs" of Hong Kong. The menu is simple offering traditional style Cantonese comfort food. Their Hong Kong-style milk tea is perfectly brewed, striking an ideal balance between strong black tea and creamy evaporated milk (They use the black and white brand evaporated milk which IMHO tastes the best) My favorite entrees here are: * Beef macaroni soup with egg. Delicate cuts of beef wth a savory and velvety delicious tomato based broth. * Pork cutlet in curry sauce - the chop is moist and smothered in yellow curry on a bed of rice with broccoli and carrots * Cream corn fish - fish fried perfectly and drenched in creamy corn sauce over a bed of rice * French toast - Coated in sweet and delicious peanut butter. The portions are generous, the flavors authentic, and the prices are remarkably fair for such a nice size portion. Parking is limited in the area, and if you park way up the hilly dead end street on Beechknoll Ave, be forewarned. The hilly street is not a challenge walking down, as Miley Cyrus sang "It's the climb" The trek up was invigorating, to say the least. Halfway there, you may question all your life choices, including why you didn't just order takeout. Who knew you would be signing up for an impromptu cardio workout as it may feel like a workout, all that's missing are volunteers offering up cups of water on the walk-up. Marathon cafe is definitely worth the extra cardio and make sure you don't skip leg day at the gym as the food is simply delicious! read more
Business owner information
Mara L.
Thank you very much
10 months ago
This Hong Kong style cafe is a hidden gem located in Little Neck. The atmosphere provided a cozy, casual and clean feel as we took our first few steps through the front door. The owner and staffs were friendly and welcoming. We've been here 2-3 times previously and loved how there were a variety of choices to choose from, whether you want rice & noodles dishes, eastern/western foods (with a twist of hk/chinese style by using bolo sweet bun as a bun for those burgers), toast and desserts, savory snacks (e.g. thick egg sandwiches, rice rolls w. fish balls and turnips), and there is a whole page of menu dedicated to the chef's choice. My boyfriend ordered the crispy pork chop & cheese in fresh tomato sauce over rice, while I've ordered the scallion chicken over rice and the hk style milk tea. I've tried my boyfriend's dish. The crispy pork chop was absolutely my favorite. It was super crispy and tender on the inside. The tomato sauce wasn't overpowering nor too strong and adds a little sweetness to the plain white rice. The scallion chicken was juicy but it was a bit more oily than what I'm used to at home. I finished the entire bowl, though so it was definitely still good! Lastly, I wanted to try their hot hk style milk tea. It didn't disappoint because I loved it so much and would recommend others to try it. Definitely coming back again to try different menu items. read more
For no frills Cantonese breakfast/early lunch, Marathon Cafe is the way to go if you're in the area. I've been meaning to try this place for a while and after ordering a milk tea coffee from them for to-go in the summer, I just knew I had to come back. I finally had that opportunity a few weekends ago & it was well worth it. My girl friends order the bo lor bao burgers and I had ordered the garlic eggplant over rice. We also ordered the savory rice rolls to share. First of all, the portions were HUGE - totally unexpected, but at least you get your money's worth! Second, the dishes were flavorful - yum yum yum! I'm so glad we were able to go & now I look forward to dining here again with my friends in the area! read more
I'm always happy to find a Hong Kong Cafe, so I was of course super excited to come to try Marathon Cafe with my fiance and his parents. One things for sure - the service here is exceptional. It appears to be a family owned business; every person we interacted here has excellent service and mannerisms, even though this is a self-service spot! There are plenty of regulars here, and they seem to know just about everyone who walks through the door. Portion sizes here are quite large - highly recommend sharing items with a few others. Some highlights and favorites here definitely include the beef noodle soup (broth has good depth, pickled mustard greens are delish, and beef shank is sooo tender), the honey garlic chicken wings, and the lai yau dor (toast with condensed milk + butter). The porkchops here are massive and they come with either rice or spaghetti; I personally liked the curry more. As mentioned above, this place is mostly self service. Orders are placed at the counter, condiments are available at the counter, and you are expected to clear your own trash. Of note, they close a bit early (at 6pm). The owners noted that this is so they can keep the food, service, and experience consistent for all diners. Will definitely be back! read more
2 years ago
Hk style food in little neck. Easy street parking. They can get busy! Self serve, you order by the counter, they bring you food. No tip needed. Kid friendly. They bring out the food relatively fast. I ordered the bolo burger and it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Genius idea. My daughter loved the bolo bun and french fries. Restaurant looks like it is your grandmothers kitchen. I also see a little karaoke station set up in the back-- so karaoke nights sometimes? Food is a little pricey but I would definitely come back again! read more
1 year ago
I'm surprised to find such delicious Hong Kong Style cuisine in Little Neck. At first you would think the food price is slightly more expensive but the portion was a big. A good portion to share and try out their menu. Everything was flavorful. I really like their wings as it's called "crispy" wings. The lava toast was interesting, extremely creamy with some coco powder. Their staffs were also very considerate seeing that our party came with 2 toddlers and 1 baby. I was able to fit our baby stroller without folding it. I would definitely come back the next time I'm in the area. read more
We loved this place so much that we came back twice in two weeks. It's semi self service, you order at the counter and they will bring out the dishes for you. I love the half coffee/half tea drink, such a prototypical HK drink. Other great dishes include the rice roll and the scallion chicken. It's a no frill place where you can get yummy comfort food, highly recommend. read more
The family wanted to try Marathon Cafe for a birthday dinner on Sunday. We arrived at 5pm and were informed that they actually close at 6pm. Luckly there was a lot of room and we could order right away. They have a self-service concept in which, you pay for your order, they bring it to your table, and you do not need to tip. At 5:45pm they come over to ask whether we wanted anything else because the kitchen was closing. The food came out quickly, so despite ordering a decent amount we were able to finish prior to closing! We ordered Fried Pork Chop (changing to spaghetti is an additional $2 compared the usual $14.95), Katsudon Cheese in Japanese Curry Sauce over Rice ($15.95), Creamy Corn with Fish over rice ($13.95), Ox Tongue Spaghetti ($17.95), Lava French Toast ($10.95), Crispy Chicken Wings (one order of sweet chili sauce, and one order of Honey Garlic Sauce; each $13.95), Milk Tea Meets Coffee ($4.75) and HK Style Milk Tea ($4.75). We were pretty satisfied with every dish, as the portion sizes are decent for the price. The pork chops and the chicken wings were meaty and tender. Chicken was crispy despite having the sauce on top. The only thing I probably wouldn't order again is the lava toast because I was just not a fan of the cream inside. It would have been nice if there was salted egg custard inside instead. The drinks were great, but definitely more toned down compared to the coffee and tea from HK because it's STRONG over there. read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
This spot is very casual and perfect for afternoon tea/bite or a meal with a small group of friends. The decor in the space and culture in the restaurant reminds me of Hong Kong very much. Their Hong Kong milk tea is strong enough and tastes on point. It's also not too sweet. The pineapple burger is interesting. The mix of the sweet and savory takes a while to adjust. The sauce in the burger is like a thousand island dressing. The burger was seasoned. It was what you expected. The pork chop rice was just okay. The orange sauce was a little underwhelming but not bad. The pork was a little dry. The price and portion was decent tho! I'd be curious to come back to try their toasts. read more
Business owner information
Mara L.
Thank you for your stars
[Project Hong Kong Milk Tea - Marathon Cafe] {Seeking the best Hong Kong Milk Tea in NYC} Grade: 85 of 100 Worth Trying 4.5 of 5 The Milk Tea here is one of the best in NYC to me, and I tried something that I never tried even when I was in Hong Kong. Red Bean Shaved Ice is a famous dessert in HK and Milk Tea?! It's definitely a must have. I have no doubt in its taste, but the shaved iced needs to combat the temperature of the milk tea is a crucial task. The taste for this one is a champion. It will be more fulfilling if the iced can be better executed. Amazing Cloud 奇雲 @Kaloud12 read more
Lovely place will remind you of hong Kong, clean restroom. Self service restaurant you come in order & pay for your food, grab the utensils at the counter. Bolo yao (pineapple bun with butter) is excellent soft melt in your mouth while the crumbs wont fall off. Fried wings with honey garlic sauce is crispy outside juicy inside, yummy garlic honey sauce French toast with butter on top very filling. Steam Rice roll is bouncy, with fish ball huge portion taste great with the sauce. Fatty beef in tomato sauce also excellent, light flavor which suit our taste buds Cantonese style. Large portion enough for two people too. Glad we drove an hour to try the food, owners are so nice hidden gems The milk tea might not be the best but definitely good enough to come back for. Perfect for breakfast/ lunch. Easy street parking, don't forget to take a pic of the decor. read more
I live down the block and always heard good things, but never thought to stop in bc it doesn't look like much from the outside. The inside honestly leaves much to be desired too, but you don't come for the ambiance. The food feels very retro Hong Kong and everything is made well. We tried the pork cutlet with cheese, the churng fun, and the bolo bao sandwich. They were sooo generous with the pork. We ate it for two meals! I want to go back to try to scallion chicken. read more
2 years ago
Had driven by the cafe many times and finally stopped in for a quick early dinner. The decor was very Hkg style. Not fancy but nostalgic. We were welcomed and it's self service. We picked up a menu from the cashier and ordered 2 items & a black coffee. The scallion chicken was to die for. Juicy, tender and flavorful. Perfection. The other order was the Pork chop in tomato sauce and cheese. The potion was huge, 2 big breaded pork chop covered in tomato sauce and baked over cheese. The pork chop was lean and juicy. Very well done. Bravo. Will.def be back again to try other dishes. read more
3 years ago
Not count as cheap eat though, but I really like the vibes here, it's pretty like local Cantonese style. And the food taste pretty good though, I like the cheese pork cutlet and the Hong Kong style milk tea. The staffs are really nice here, tips are not mandatory but I did leave some tips to them. read more
Business owner information
Mara L.
Thank you very much
Hidden at a corner of a residential street, Marathon cafe offers hong Kong cafe food. Their hong Kong milk tea is legit, you can see the multiple black white milk cans throughout the cafe. My favorite dish is their tomato with macaroni noodle, it's a spiral macaroni type noodles in a tangy tomato broth and topped with beef and a runny egg. I have also tried their French toast, and it is a great sweet treat. The hong Kong milk tea is legit. Overall service is great, you just order and at the end of the meal you clean up the table yourself. Price wise is a bit high for hong Kong cafes but it's mostly due to the area itself. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood. read more
I would've walked right by this place if I wasn't meeting a friend here who recommended. I had the scallion chicken w rice and salad. It tasted very homey and not highly seasoned. It came w a turnip soup reminiscent of home cooking. Also had the fried breaded pork which was perfect. They specialize HK home cooking w milk tea and french toast offerings. Gotta come back to try out the other offerings read more
1 year ago
This Restaurant by it lack of concern for it's neighbors who reside on a Residential Block by disposing of it's garbage ILLEGALLY by not purchasing sizable dumpsters and leaving bags of food garbage outside of a dumpster or in opened trash cans exposing food for RATS! This is ILLEGAL and it has caused a serious RAT problem on the block. Neighbors have complained of seeing vermin run by the restaurant and nearby properties! They have been told of this problem but they do not care. I would NEVER eat at this restaurant..I can imagine what is in their kitchen!! read more
Probably drove by here a few dozen times but first time grabbing food here. Located at an unassuming corner off Marathon Pkwy FIrst impression- Hong Kong vibes all the way. I mistakenly walked in a few minutes before they were open but they were super friendly about it and didn't kick me out. Really do love the vibes, lady at the counter (owner?) greeted me warmly and told me to take my time and see what I want to eat. I overheard a few workers chilling and talking in Canto over the Tyson and Jake Paul fight. How fun! I ordered some stable HK cafe food: the spam and egg sando (advertised as thick layer of eggs), spam and egg noodle and an iced milk tea. The spam and egg was as advertised comes with a thick layer of egg, and i say even the spam was pretty thick. The egg was smooth and buttery with perfect consistency and it was a perfect compliment with the pan fried spam and pillowy soft brioche- my very minor complain here would be the crust of the brioche is a little tough. Spam and egg instant noodle was always a favorite of mine, it was very well done here, semi runny eggs with spam that's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, noodle was al dente, it's hard to beat this combo. But what I love the most is the broth, it's got a strong chicken favorite and you can tell by just looking at its color (yellow)- definitely different than what you get from a normal HK cafe. If anything I would for sure come back for their Iced Milk Tea, this is definitely HK milk tea ladies and gents. This tea will for sure keep me up, strong black tea flavor and aroma, goes down smooth with just enough milk and sugar to bring out the richness and creaminess flavor. This is a big W! First time ordering take out here, love the Hong Kong vibes, excellent and warm customer service and of course delicious food. My only regret is not coming by sooner, I will be back for more HK milk tea and other food options! PS. I came back the next day and long story short- get the scallion chicken too. read more
2 years ago
Marathon has a fun menu of Chinese meets American food. I love the fried pork chip and bolo hamburger! There's usually a wait around rush hours, so try to come off hours if you can. The staff is nice and the restaurant is very causal. read more
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46-19 Marathon Pkwy
Little Neck, NY 11362
Douglaston
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(929) 260-8887
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Marathon Cafe - chicken_wings - Updated September 2026
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