Hampton Classic Horse Show, primary fast-food food vendor, in legal dispute after show ends contract

The Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton has been sued by its primary fast-food vendor after the show ended its contract and allowed another vendor to offer items similar to those on its menu, according to the lawsuit.

G&L Gyro Concessions alleged in a lawsuit filed last week in state Supreme Court in Suffolk County it was not welcomed back to the 2026 event in August without prior written notice of dissatisfaction, despite an agreement the company would serve as the event's main fast-food provider through 2027.

The Bethpage-based business also said Citarella, a gourmet market with several locations on Long Island, ran a food concession right next to G&L at the show and was allowed to sell items that were only supposed to be sold by G&L.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show did not respond to Newsday’s request for comment, but court documents show the event’s executive director said in an email the event had received negative reviews of G&L and that it would have selected an alternative vendor whether or not Citarella was available or interested.

"The Hampton Classic did not find G&L Gyro Concessions' food service satisfactory and has therefore terminated the agreement," an email listed in court documents said.

Often dubbed the "Hollywood horse show," the Hampton Classic brings out a star-studded crowd that has attracted celebrities such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Bruce Springsteen, Newsday reported. The decades-old event, expected to take place this year between Aug. 23 and 30, is among the nation’s largest outdoor equestrian competitions, bringing together elite and amateur riders to participate in the sport.

For roughly 12 years, G&L had served as the primary fast-food vendor for the summer gathering, the lawsuit said. An agreement spanning 2023 to 2027 called for the company to operate a lemonade area, a Groom's Café and the main food hub within the Boutique Garden, court documents show.

The contract also noted the company would supply exclusive menu items such as gyros, cheesesteaks  and hamburgers. But at the 2024 Hampton Classic, Citarella was allowed to sell similar or indistinguishable items as those that were exclusive to G&L — a breach of the agreement, according to the lawsuit. The Hampton Classic Horse Show said in a March email it had financially resolved the dispute, but G&L said it didn’t agree to drop the claims, court records show.

In 2025, G&L said the Hampton Classic had told the company verbally it would not be asked to return in 2026, according to the lawsuit. G&L maintains the horse show had provided it "no written notice of deficiency, and no documented expression of dissatisfaction at any point during G&L's twelve years of service, or at any time during the term of the Agreement. ”

Christopher W. Zeh, a lawyer for G&L Gyro Concessions, said in a Tuesday statement to Newsday, "We are not in a position to comment on the specifics of the pending litigation at this time.

"What we can say is that Zeh & Associates filed this action on behalf of G&L Gyro to protect our client's rights and interests, and we are confident in the merits of the claims set forth in the complaint," he added. "The filing speaks for itself, and we look forward to presenting our case in court."

By Tiffany Cusaac-Smith

tiffany.cusaac-smith@newsday.com@T_Cusaac

Tiffany Cusaac-Smith is a general assignment reporter for Newsday. She previously worked at USA TODAY and is an alum of Howard University.