Yankees choose East Rutherford restaurant to cook team meals

What is the secret to the early-season success of the New York Yankees? Maybe the cooking from a North Jersey restaurant has something to do with it.

Elia Mediterranean Restaurant in East Rutherford highlighted its connection to the Bronx Bombers on social media May 6. The eatery shared photos of the staff in the Yankees locker room with players and manager Aaron Boone, and expressed gratitude to the team for allowing their chefs to cook for them.

"It’s truly an honor to feed one of the greatest organizations in sports," the post read.

The post specifically thanked outfielder Cody Bellinger and shortstop Jose Caballero "for all the love they showed our team," adding, "Moments like these mean the world to us."

Meals from Elia may be what is fueling the Yankees, who sit atop the American League and are tied for the second-best record in all of Major League Baseball at 25-12. The team had won 15 of its previous 17 games and was on a six-game winning streak before it was snapped May 6.

Elia has become a popular spot for local sports figures and other celebrities since opening in 2017. New York Giants management visited the restaurant in January with John Harbaugh the night before he was named the team's new head coach.

Several Giants wide receivers, including 2024 first-round draft pick Malik Nabers, dined at Elia April 30, and tight end Daniel Bellinger ate there while a member of the team in November 2025. In 2022, the restaurant to film scenes for the show.