Second Helpings

I walked past this place a thousand times because I was intimidated by the set-​back entrance. I thought it would be a holier-​than-​thou type of health café. I was so wrong! The staff was awesome, and the food was awesome. I definitely recommend their falafel (which has amazing tahini) and their fries. My boyfriend’s burrito was also fresh and delicious. They even have meat-​free jerky, which I love. I’m definitely a happy vegetarian.
The only downfall is that they’re a little pricey, but what do you expect at a Park Slope eatery?

What kind of natural foods place uses disposable dishware? Those that care about the health aspect of their food tend to care about our environment.

Mmmmmm, so tasty. I kept walking by Second Helping and kept thinking, I should try it. So, on my way to Prospect Park I thought it would be great picnic food. As a wheat avoiding lady I obviously couldn’t have the sandwiches though they sounded great but there were plenty of salads by the pound to choose from. I had the roasted vegetables (not so good), the raw kale with cashew sauce (delicious) and the quinoa lentil salad (also really tasty). A little pricey, but not too terrible. I’ll definitely be back.

Second Helpings catered our recent wedding and we were so incredibly happy with their service. They had their work cut out for them: We had a multicultural crowd with a lot of vegetarians but a fair number of folks who don’t venture beyond meat and potatoes. David, the owner, came up with a menu that would satisfy everyone. We had tandoori-​style chicken, roasted balsamic-​glazed salmon, saag, a sweet potato/​peanut curry, amazingly creamy mashed potatoes, basmati rice, a mint cabbage salad and a variety of yummy cocktail hour goodies (the lentil cakes with coriander chutney were a big hit!).
It was so easy to get in touch with David to work on our menu/​figure out reception logistics. On the day of the wedding, the staff was like a well-​oiled machine. The servers were all really friendly and made sure my husband and I got to eat. They also made sure the passed vegetarian appetizers headed toward the vegetarian guests, which was very much appreciated.
We are so happy we chose Second Helpings. The food was amazing and the service was great. The fact that they packed up leftovers was the icing on the cake.

The food here is really simple and really good, but everything else is underwhelming. The food is a little expensive for what it is, and I treat the place more like a deli counter than a restaurant, because the seating is really more for a quick lunch than anything else.
The last time I had the seared tuna, it had been sitting out just a little too long and started getting fishy, had a little bit too much fat and was chewy, and was crusted with black sesame seeds and poppy seeds in addition to pepper, which tasted a bit too much like dirt.
I like the vegetable salads a lot, their wraps are good but pricey, and the squash soup is pretty fantastic.

One thing I WILL add… the squash soup IS amazing.
And the staff has been better as of late… however during late hours the staff still tends to be surly and makes you feel unwelcome.

I only ordered from these blokes, but overall it was a good experience. They took about 30 minutes to deliver, which I find to be about average around these parts. I ordered a Chicken cobb salad wrap for lunch, and I’ll tell you the things I appreciated about it: Green, tender avocado, a nice big bunch of lettuce plumping it up, and the chicken tasted like it was actually cooked on a grill, which surprised me. One thing I questioned though is if that chicken was white meat or indeed dark meat– tasted somewhat gamey. However, I’d order again, and text time try the crab cake sandwich.

It was good and the menu was extensive. I’ll give it that.
I felt like it was a bit overpriced, though, and the chocolate-​chip vegan espresso muffin I had was probably one of the worst things I’ve ever put in my mouth. Ever.
I did have an INCREDIBLE vegan reuban, though, and my portobella wrap was pretty tasty. (The carmelized onions made it.) The accompanying chips were… bad. No flavor, no crisp, and kinda burnt. I think they make them in-​house.
The take-​home deli food looked really good, but I was stuffed walking out of there and didn’t get a chance to try it.
They have a LOT of vegan options, though I find it pretty ridiculous that the butternut squash soup isn’t even VEGETARIAN because there’s fish oil in it or something. I mean, really? How hard is it to change that?

I tried a sample of their soup at the Park Slope Restaurant Tour last week and had to go try a whole meal there the next day because that sample got me hooked!
The staff was super sweet and the food was so hearty and heart-​warming. I think it’s best to stick to their vegetarian/​vegan options because that’s what they are known for. My mom got a meat dish and was so-​so on it. I had the coconut-​peanut tofu wrap with a cup of yellow split-​pea soup. It was amazing. So, suck it up carnivores and get yourself some tofu!
There was no way I could finish the meal, which saddened me because I hate to leave so much delicious food on my plate! The lemonade tasted like straight up lemons, with no sugar. Not my thang, but maybe you’d like it?

Greens were tough and bland. Salmon steak was raw most of the way through.
Food 2 + ambiance 4 + value 1 + service 5 = overall 2.5 /​10 (poor)

I have eaten here dozens of times and know some of the employees. They are always nice to me, but some seem to have an attitude ready for everyone else, so I can see where some people get that negative vibe.
Most of the food is amazing… when it is fresh. It’s in your best interest to get to know the counter staff so that they tell you the truth about when something was made. My favorites are the curried chickpeas with apples, the squash vermicelli and vegetarian burrito with cheese. Mmmm, just thinking about it makes me hungry.
It is really small in there, so around 5:30 pm it gets really crowded, full of strollers and groups of people that don’t know what they want to eat blocking the counter area. It’s best to go on Saturdays or Wednesdays, when the baking is usually done and you can get a fresh baked vegan cookie.

YUM. It is amazing when huddling on one side of the neighborhood you can completely miss stuff on the other side. I remember when second helpings opened I never made it by. This week I went there two days in a row. They have a lunch special for $ 8.75 that runs until 5pm-​choice of a wrap and soup.
The portobello wrap was very yummy as was the white bean soup-​plus a generous helping of homemade potato chips. The wrap was so big I think there may have been a mistake I think the special dictates half a wrap.
The following day-​unblt wrap, lentil soup. The wrap comes in the legit ½ portion. I also get some garlic greens and quinoa.
There is a note that they are no longer using spelt and have had to raise some of their prices due to rising food costs.
A nice spot I will definitely be making another stop.

This place is good for a quick bite or lunch at a really decent price. Everything is really fresh and tasty. Lots of vegan options, including a totally vegan array of baked goods (the chocolate pudding bar is outstanding).
The staff however, always seems to have an attitude problem.

Second Helpings is one of my favorite Park Slope cafes. It’s a great counter spot for a quick meal or for an outdoors brunch. They have a good mix of healthy dishes with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. It’s also good to stop by for coffee and a scone or muffin.

I had the unBLT tempeh wrap and it was DELICIOUS! This was my third time to try tempeh, and the first two were terrible so I was doubly excited. The first time, I tried to make something with it at home and failed miserably, and the second was at Burritoville (I think) and it was kinda nasty.
The harissa soy mayo and chili jam really made the wrap extraordinary!
The guy who took my order was really nice, though he seemed new. I asked him if the wrap was vegan and he asked another sort of surly woman behind the counter who kind of snapped at him and pointed at the menu on the wall. I remember her being kind of a grumpy pants last time I was in there too.
Maybe she needs a hug.
Still, I give the place five stars ‘cus the new guy was as awesome as the food and the price was fair. I will definitely be back.
[edit 4÷21÷08: I have been back here a few more times, and the person i described as grumpy above is actually quite nice. I was wrong. She rocks.]

What a value! While in the area this afternoon, I decided to get dinner to take home, but didnt’ want to spend a fortune OR eat anything terribly unhealthy.
I happened upon Second Helpings — an adorable little organic café, and found exactly what I was looking for. The café has a daily dinner special where for $ 12.00 you get a soup, entrée, two sides, and bread. I chose rotisserie chicken (a BIG piece), sauteeed kale, quinoa pilaf, whole wheat foccaia, and butternut squash soup — a wholesome yummy dinner, and i have plenty of leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

Their falafel burger is absolutely delicious, although the bread portion is a bit unnecessary (but removing the bread wouldn’t make it a burger anymore, would it?).
I feel healthy just from looking at their menu.

When our office used to be in Park Slope, this was the place to be for «clean» food. I found myself here on a regular basis for their soup and wrap special. My favorite was the salmon wrap. Delicious. If you are into organic, «whole» food, check out Second Helpings.

After 5 minutes at the register…
Girl behind counter: «Can I help you?»
Me: «Yeah, just this please.» (Bottle of juice in one hand, money held out.)
Girl behind counter: «Oh, he can help you.» (Nods to guy behind counter, walks away.)
3 more minutes pass…
Guy behind counter: Stands there looking lost with a bag of take out. Looks at me, the people behind me, and continues to look around. Finds owner of take out, then walks away ignoring the 4-​people-​deep line.
My companion: «CAN WE PLEASE PAY FOR THIS NOW?!»
Girl behind the counter: (Makes a face) «sure…»
Frustration is not a healthy thing. It doesn’t matter what type of food you serve, if I can’t pay for a bottle of juice after standing there patiently for over 8 minutes, it’s not a place that will fare well in my book.

Every time I pick up something to eat here I feel extraordinarily healthy. And even though what I’m eating might actually be something like a brownie, it will be a wheat-​free brownie or a vegan brownie and most of the time, it tastes great!
Second Helpings specializes in organic, über-​healthy fare and has lots of fresh juices and whole grain products, as well as interesting chowders, a killer organic macaroni and cheese and brunch on week-​ends. There’s a tiny seating area, but most people seem to pick up their orders to go or call for delivery.