Back in late 2018, brothers Brian and Keith Lewin, along with Jon Troyan, bought a property in Mattituck that had sat vacant for close to a decade. The 5,000-square-foot space, which previously housed Porto Bello restaurant, had an overgrown exterior and needed work.
But after 18 months of renovations, North Fork Roadhouse officially opened its doors last weekend with a menu of takeout and drinks options.
“It was super, super busy,” Keith Lewin said. “And we were pretty much overrun with people. It was really good timing.” The trio had plans to open the spot up close to St. Patrick’s Day, but it was around that time when everything started to shut down, delaying their progress.
“We’ve been raring to go ever since St. Patty’s day,” Lewin said. “Takeout wasn’t the way we wanted to open. We really put a lot of money into the inside of our building and we really wanted people to see how nice our bar is, see how nice it functions.”
On top of bringing the building up to code, the partners added a brand new kitchen and moved the bar to make it more accessible. “We had a vision of a place that would really appeal to all walks of life and have a North Fork vibe,” Brian Lewin said. “We wanted open-air seating, farm country feels with a great sound system.”
Even though locals can’t yet enjoy what the partners spent so long building, they were asking for takeout, Keith Lewin added. So on Sunday May 24, North Fork Roadhouse opened up for takeout and curbside pickup. The current menu includes bites ranging from loaded fries to double crunch wings, options from the smoker like ribs and chicken, classic grill favorites like kielbasa hot dog, a Beyond Meat burger and a lobster roll, along with a number of sides. The bar also opened for takeout beer, hard seltzer and cocktail options.
“We’re gonna continue to do takeout, and we’re really looking forward to at least opening for outdoor dining,” Keith Lewin said. “We do have almost three acres of property. We have the room to really distance and put the tables 25 feet apart.”
Right now, North Fork Roadhouse is set up for ordering at the entrance. The two main doors are propped open with a high-top table set in front where staff members sit with masks and take orders.
“We didn’t build it for social distancing, but we definitely have the perfect place for it,” Brian Lewin said. Once Long Island’s restrictions on dining are loosened at a safe time, the partners hope to use their expansive lawn area as a destination on the North Fork.
“We want to be able to hold as many people and events as possible with what the town permits,” Keith Lewin said.
They already have a cornhole board and a can jam set ready to go and hope to host car and motorcycle shows in the future, as well as bands and musicians.
“We really hope everyone enjoys the place as much as we enjoyed building it and letting our imagination go wild,” Brian Lewin said.
9095 Sound Ave., Mattituck, 298-8277, open everyday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
