La Estacion Deli & Pizzeria opens in Brentwood's former LIRR station

La Estacion means “the station” in Spanish, and it couldn’t be a more fitting name for the Brentwood restaurant that opened last year in the town’s decommissioned LIRR station.

After the new station opened a block west in 1987, the old station was left to founder but, in 2006, it was converted into a solar-powered cafe that lasted three years. More foundering followed until brothers Shahid and Haroon Majid leased the building in 2018. The Majids own a number of convenience stores on Long Island, almost all of them located at LIRR stations, so they felt a connection to the location. They also envisioned a vast and versatile establishment that would appeal to the surrounding community, to their fellow Pakistani Americans and to anyone who enjoys good halal food in an indoor / outdoor space that can accommodate up to 400 people.

The old building now holds a lengthy ordering counter and a 70-seat dining room. Directly outside is a patio that seats another 70. The grounds feature picnic tables, a tent for parties up to 60 people, and private, heated igloos for smaller gatherings.  Kids have their choice of two huge, inflatable bounce houses.

The menu is wide ranging, with more than 100 items. There are Pakistani dishes such as chicken or mutton karahi, haleem, biryani, tandoor naan, kheer and gulab jaman; Latin American tacos, tamales, pupusas and empanadas; Peruvian salchipapas, rotisserie chicken and fried rice; wings, grilled cheese sandwiches, pressed heros and pizza, breakfast and more. On weekends there are also barbecued meats and a 25-item buffet from noon to closing.

La Estacion Deli & Pizzeria is at 22 1st Ave., Brentwood; open weekdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., weekends from 9 a.m. to midnight; 631-231-3131, laestaciondeli.com