Restaurants in places like ping-pong halls come with very low expectations (I’d plan on seeing a mediocre burger, a chilly hot dog, and plastic cups for the beer). But that’s fine; you’re generally there for the fun and the atmosphere, not the food.

The food at Ducks Eatery is about a thousand times better than it has to be, and is surprising in all the right ways. Chef Will Horowitz (who is a pro ping-pong player and a very cool guy) has created a menu that offers fun twists on old standbys such as grilled cheese sandwiches (which are filled with cheddar, gruyere, taleggio, and a touch of truffle oil), but also totally off-beat (and very delicious) creations like vodka-infused freezy pops (just like the ones you had every summer when you were a kid) and foie gras-truffle popcorn.

My absolute favorite item on the menu (Kendrick’s, too) was The Saigon, a soft roll filled with 5-spice pork, chili aioli, pickled daikon, cracklings, and lemongrass pate (only $9.50).