Greater Long Island: Alligator, ostrich and kangaroo, oh my! Wild Fork opening three Long Island stores

Wild Fork Foods, a new specialty meat and seafood store with an inventory that includes an array of exotic meats, is set to open three stores on Long Island.

The chain has leased space from Breslin Realty in shopping centers in Lake Grove, Plainview and West Hempstead. Each is opening soon, according to the realty group.

The Lake Grove location will be a 4,500-square-foot store in Smith Haven Plaza, 2075 Moriches Road. Wild Fork will operate right next door to Bed Bath & Beyond. The 4,700-square-foot Wild Fork in Plainview will be inside Woodbury Plaza, which is located at 409 S. Oyster Bay Road and anchored by a TJ Maxx.

The West Hempstead location will replace a closed Boston Market in Nassau Plaza, which is at 603 Hempstead Turnpike.

Founded about five years ago, Wild Fork has nearly 40 locations in the United States, including stores in Florida, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The company specializes in frozen meat and seafood staples, as well as exotic meats, fruits, vegetables and prepared foods.

Combining elements of a traditional grocery store with those of a specialty retailer, Wild Fork’s 450-plus meat and seafood items include the likes of ground elk and kangaroo, ostrich fillets, alligator tenderloins and bison hot dogs, in addition to a wide array of more traditional American diet meat varieties.

The retailer sources meat and seafood from farms across the country, blast freezing the items to maintain freshness. Online ordering for delivery or pickup is available.

by Brian Harmon