Crosstown Chef bids farewell to Sayville, closes for good after six years

Goodbye eggplant Milanese. So long chicken cacciatore. We’ll miss you, jumbo meatballs.

Crosstown Chef, a North Main Street eat-in, meal-delivery and takeout service at the east end of Sayville, has closed its doors permanently after six years in business. Effective immediately.

Ownership made the announcement this week on social media, much to the chagrin of its customers.

“Thank you to all who have tried our meals, became customers, and became friends,” an Crosstown Chef Instagram post reads. “For a lot of you, we were feeding you 3–5 nights a week. We became your personal chef.

“Please know that your support kept us going for six years and for that we say thank you,” the post continued. “It was a pleasure serving you and today we say goodbye.”

Crosstown Chef opened in the summer of 2021, aiming to bring fresh, chef-prepared meals to local families and professionals. The restaurant quickly built a loyal following, often providing multiple nights of dinners each week for regular customers.

Crosstown Chef for years operated as a home kitchen before opening a brick‑and‑mortar location at 399 North Main Street in 2021, replacing Fancy Nancy Country Store.

Owner and veteran chef Michael Panarello told Greater Long Island then that he picked Sayville for its strong community feel. The Lindenhurst native built out the restaurant as a spot for salads, sandwiches, hot foods and family meals made fresh on‑site.

The eatery also served as a delivery and grab‑and‑go option during the tail end of the COVID‑19 pandemic.

During its run, Crosstown Chef became known for its made‑to‑order meals and weekly dinner offerings, earning a loyal following among locals who appreciated both its convenience and quality.

In its farewell, Crosstown Chef reflected on the unique relationships it formed with customers over the years.

“It comes with profound sadness that we announce the closing of Crosstown Chef effective immediately,” the post says. “We want to thank Sayville and the surrounding towns for letting us feed you nightly for the last six years.

“We’ve met some great people and made some great friends along the way. Your support kept us going for as long as we did and we are eternally grateful,” the post continues.

_{Top: Crosstown Chef on N. Main Street in Sayville has closed (Google Maps Street View) and its eggplant Milanese sandwich (Facebook).}