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At just 38 years old, Kevin Muller has already built a diverse restaurant portfolio across Suffolk County, and he’s not done yet. His latest venture, Medly, opened in mid-January in Selden, bringing fresh Mediterranean-inspired cuisine to Middle Country Road.
The new quick-service restaurant — adjoining his original Crazy Crepes location in Middle Country Plaza — offers build-your-own bowls and pitas, with an array of proteins to pick from.
Customers choose from four varieties of fresh greens as a base, and then select from grilled chicken, steak, falafel, gyro meat and lamb. Then come the vegetables and other extras: tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted corn, pickled onions, feta cheese and several types of hummus.
The concept, Muller said, emphasizes fresh ingredients and customization, with house-made sauces like feisty feta (spicy whipped feta cheese) and yogurt dill complementing the dishes.
“We wanted to do something more fresh, invite people in, create their own products,” said the Patchogue resident, noting that customer preferences have shifted toward healthier options.
Medly’s menu includes halal chicken options and vegan choices like falafel, catering to diverse dietary needs.
Got his start at Friendly’s
Muller’s journey in the restaurant industry began as a Friendly’s employee; he was 16 and going to Longwood High School. After earning his business degree from SUNY Polytechnic Institute (having started at Suffolk County Community College, which he calls “probably the best thing that ever happened to me”), he returned to Friendly’s – this time as a manager opening the restaurant chain’s Shirley location.
That experience proved invaluable when, at age 25, he launched his own concept: Crazy Crepes. The brand has grown to three locations across Suffolk County, with shops also located in Lake Ronkonkoma and Smithtown.
The Selden location, which has now been operating for a decade, was his first.
In 2015, Muller expanded his portfolio by opening Meltology, a gourmet grilled cheese concept, in Mount Sinai. While that location closed after its five-year lease, the brand lives on with a physical location in Middle Island and continues as a virtual kitchen operating from the Selden space, serving the local area through delivery platforms.
Adapting to changing times
The transformation of the former Meltology space in Selden into Medly reflects Muller’s adaptability in the face of changing dining trends.
“After the pandemic happened, Meltology really turned into just delivery,” explained, Muller, who grew up in Yaphank. “It was good business, but I wanted to try something a little more fresh. Tastes change over time, and salad bowls and pitas made sense to me.”
The new restaurant seats about 25 diners and shares space with Crazy Crepes, allowing customers to move freely between the two concepts. Medly and Crazy Crepes offer online ordering and delivery options, building on lessons learned during the pandemic, Muller said.
Now overseeing a team of 50-60 employees across his concepts, Muller has come a long way from his days as a teenage restaurant worker, with his businesses becoming fixtures in the community.
“The food is fresh – we’re making it throughout the day,” he said. “Different flavors, different spice mixes from the Middle East, that’s what we’re trying to do. The falafel is really good, nice chickpeas, fried up fresh. Everything is fully customizable – we encourage people to explore all the combinations.”
Simple menu, fast service
Top photo: (From left) Medly Operations Manager Briana McCready, counter server Kyle Bobee and Medly owner Kevin Muller (Brian Harmon photo).
