BROOKLYN — It's the final four of Brooklyn's best.
The votes are in from last week's elite eight bracket of neighborhood institutions in DNAinfo New York's version of March Madness.
Now, four spots are up against each other — and they're big ones.
It's Junior's versus Peter Pan Donuts and Raskin's Fish Market versus David's Brisket House in the final four.
More than 1,500 people voted to move Downtown Brooklyn's Junior's ahead of Gloria's Caribbean Cuisine in Crown Heights.
Peter Pan Donuts in Greenpoint edged Tom's Restaurant in Prospect Heights by just more than 70 votes, and pastrami won over pizza, with David's Brisket House gaining more votes than Grimaldi's Pizza.
Finally, Raskin's Fish Market fans came out again last week, with more than 1,000 fans giving it the win over Farrell's Bar.
Vote in the final four today to see who will be matched up next week for the championship round of the borough's best neighborhood institutions.
JUNIOR'S — Downtown Brooklyn, 386 Flatbush Ave. Junior's has been a fixture in Downtown Brooklyn since 1950 and is known for its famous cheesecake and cozy diner-like setting that draws locals and tourists alike. A developer recently offered Junior's owner Alan Rosen $45 million to buy the restaurant and was rejected. "This is more than a restaurant: it's our roots, tradition and heritage and it is just not sellable," Rosen said.
PETER PAN DONUT AND PASTRY SHOP — Greenpoint, 727 Manhattan Ave. Long before the age of the cronut, Peter Pan was churning out doughnuts in Greenpoint. Its doughnuts — like its decor — lean more classic and less wacky. They'll also only set you back a little more than a dollar, making it easy for both longtime locals and Greenpoint transplants to embrace the shop. It's been on Manhattan Avenue since the 1950s, with current owners the Siafakas family taking over in '93. Bonus: Tina Fey even once said their white-cream powdered doughnut is the best she'd ever had.
RASKIN'S FISH MARKET — Crown Heights, 320 Kingston Ave. This kosher fish market has been serving fresh seafood to customers since 1961 when its owner, Shlomo Raskin, first opened for business. Between ice beds full of fish and refrigerators stocked with prepared foods — including Raskin’s own brand of gefilte fish — customers line up to order, careful to avoid slipping on melting ice and fish slime. It’s part of the charm!
DAVID'S BRISKET HOUSE AND DELI — Bed-Stuy, 533 Nostrand Ave. Forget Katz’s Delicatessen, David’s is the real deal when it comes to sandwiches. Founded in the 1970s, the spot in the heart of Bed-Stuy serves up enormous stacks of pastrami, corned beef and roasted beef brisket. The Jewish deli was passed down to Muslim owners who continue serving overstuffed, mouthwatering $11 subs.
— Reporting by Serena Dai, Janet Upadhye, Camille Bautista, Nikhita Venugopal, Rachel Holliday Smith, Leslie Albrecht. Graphic by Nigel Chiwaya.
