While you’re probably not watching the NFL preseason because, well… who does? You’re going to want to tune in to the much more fruitful preseason of New York’s food scene. Right now, across the city, the culinary athletes (chefs and restaurants) are putting together some amazing pop-ups, drops and collabs to prepare for the onslaught of even bigger, better things to come in the Fall. While many New Yorkers are out of town during the summer, these chefs and restaurants have been putting in work while the spotlight is away from them, making some of the city’s best food more accessible than ever for you. A curbside culinary collab cookout, a celebratory doughnut and an elusive BBQ phenom will spring into action this week.

As always, this article is just a small taste of the pop-ups and drops you can find in the 8it app. Hit the green button at the bottom of this article to explore the 8it app.

Hot Honey Mango Doughnutz
All Dough Locations // 8.19 Only

Dough, Mike’s Hot Honey and Utz are putting the ‘nutz’ in ‘doughnutz’ this weekend with a doughnut collab that was destined to be. Dough concocted a Mike’s Hot Honey-infused mango glaze and topped it with Utz crunchy Mike’s Hot Honey flavored potato chips for the doughy disc that will be available this Saturday only. But this collab is no coincidence, National Potato Day and National Honey Bee Day are both Saturday, August 19! Celebrating two national holidays means you will be exempt from any pushback from your dietician for indulging in this doughnut. Find all the info in the 🧨 Drops category on the 8it app.

Hot Water Bagels
Ridgewood // 8.19

A Jewish gourmet pop-up from Los Angeles is trading Hollywood for Ridgewood this Saturday, as they will be popping up for a brunch at Decades Pizza. The menu will feature a Green Goddess Salad with avocado, charred corn and sungold tomato that even Baked By Melissa would envy, chicken liver dip with date syrup and shaved egg, pastrami spiced potatoes, plus smoked salmon, veggie and pizza bagels. Your go-to brunch spot is bound to be deluged with loud twenty-somethings and god forbid— tourists, so Decades, which is not normally open for brunch, should be your optimal destination this Saturday. Find all the info in the 💥 Pop-ups category on the 8it app.

Algo En Between
Williamsburg // 8.20

Algo En Between, a pop-up renowned for their dinner parties is hitting Borinquen Place this Sunday popping up with grills outside Ensenada. Manning the grill will be Chef Ozzie Mendoza Diaz cooking up Puerto Rican-Japanese fusion yakitori and small bites (Chicharron on a stick?! 🫢 Could it be?). Plus Emma MacDonald of Mon Petit Canard will be on pastries. Before we know it, cook out season will be over and the sunny streets of Brooklyn will more closely resemble Siberia. This is a chance to put an exclamation mark on your summer! Find all the info in the 💥 Pop-ups category on the 8it app.

Smoke Sweats
Williamsburg // 8.20

Williamsburg is breaking out in a rare case of the Smoke Sweats this weekend as the elusive pitmaster Anthony Scerri is popping up at Lucky Dog. Eager to prove that his second place finish at Rib King was a fluke, those Rib King ribs will be back alongside picanha steaks, cheeto pie (sorry, Fritos), smoke house sausage, bacon cheddar cornbread, esquite and smoked tomatoes. It’s a first come, first serve kind of deal, so hop on line early to try the ribs that sold out within an hour at Rib King! Find all the info in the 💥 Pop-ups category on the 8it app.

Florida Water
Prospect Heights // 8.21 & 8.22

Chef Kia Damon is bringing her spectacular Florida Water tour, which has brought the flavors of Florida to pop-up fiends all over the country, to chicken bar The Fly in Brooklyn on Monday and Tuesday. The above-pictured achiote chicken will feature on the menu alongside fish sandwiches, peel ‘n eat shrimp, cajun fries and more. There are no reservations and that presents a double-edged sword. On one edge, you have a chance to try Damon’s food although her reservable dinners usually sell out within minutes of being announced. On the other edge, it would be wise to get there early to make sure you secure the bag. Will you bask in the glorious Florida Water this time around? Only time will tell. Find all the info in the 💥 Pop-ups category on the 8it app.

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