Long Island’s legendary Popei’s Clam Bar is making its return to the South Shore.
The family-owned seafood favorite has opened a new pop-up restaurant inside Amsterdam at 52 West Main St. in Patchogue, bringing many of the signature dishes that generations of Long Islanders have enjoyed for nearly 50 years.
The move marks Popei’s first South Shore presence since its longtime Sayville restaurant closed following a 2017 fire.
Popei’s at Amsterdam is currently serving a streamlined version of its huge menu while allowing Amsterdam to continue operating as one of Patchogue’s busiest live music venues on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the owners told Greater Long Island.
The partnership officially debuted Tuesday.
“We’re going to see how it goes,” said Popei’s co-owner Joseph Reale. “If the community supports it, we’ll stick around.”
Scottie Campbell, who co-owns Amsterdam and neighboring Aces & Eights with Reale, his brother Ralph Reale, and Mike Stephani, said it was important to reassure customers that the venue isn’t changing directions.
“Amsterdam isn’t going anywhere,” Campbell said. “We’re super excited to have a restaurant with Popei’s reputation become part of the team.”
Campbell said the live music schedule has even been adjusted to create a better dining experience before the music begins, with bands now starting around 8:30 p.m. (instead of 6:30 p.m.) and wrapping up around 10:30 p.m.
“We wanted people to know they can come in and have plenty of time to enjoy dinner before the bands,” he said.
For Reale, the new venture continues a family legacy that began in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when his father, Ralph Reale, and family started the original Popei’s inside Nassau Farmers Market in Bethpage.
The family eventually relocated to Wantagh Avenue before expanding over the years to Kings Park, Sayville, Deer Park and Coram.
Today, Popei’s operates locations in Bethpage, Deer Park and Coram.
“My brother Ralph, my cousin and I all grew up working there,” Reale said. “We were doing dishes, cooking, whatever needed to be done. It’s our family legacy, and we wouldn’t just hand it off to anybody. My brother and I are going to be involved in the day-to-day operation of the kitchen.”
That hands-on approach was one reason Reale chose to debut a smaller menu in Patchogue rather than trying to recreate the entire Popei’s experience on day one.
The current menu features roughly a third of the restaurant’s longtime offerings, he said, allowing the kitchen staff time to master the recipes before additional favorites are added.
“I didn’t want to execute the full menu right from the jump because it’s a lot,” Reale said. “We’ll add more items over time.”
Among the highlights are Popei’s all-you-can-eat crab legs, offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $70, along with baked clams, bucket of mussels, raw clams, oysters and non-seafood options like wings, chicken parm and filet mignon medallions. There’s even the Popei’s Famous Boil, featuring a half Maine lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams, potatoes and corn for $59. (Choice of beer bake, Cajun butter, or Old Bay.)
“We’ve already had a great response the first couple of days,” Reale said.
He added that the family is discussing ideas for lobster nights and other seafood promotions as the Patchogue concept grows.
Popei’s at Amsterdam is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. at 52 West Main St. in Patchogue.
The menu is expected to expand over time, with soups and other heartier favorites arriving as the weather cools.
“One guy was disappointed,” Reale said with a laugh. “He said, ‘I drove all the way here for the Popei’s New England clam chowder!'”
Top: The teams at Popei’s and Amsterdam celebrate the collaboration outside Amsterdam, located at 52 West Main St. in Patchogue. (R) Popei’s co-owners Ralph and Joseph Reale (Credit: Mike Stephani/courtesy)
Prior reporting
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