When you first walk into the Varsity Grill next to Massapequa High School (MHS), you will be amazed by the amount of space and seating inside. If students can remember the gym that previously rented the property the restaurant now fills, they will be astounded by the transformation of the space.
Slated to open this fall, the Massapequa Varsity Grill is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that is both convenient and affordable for Massapequa students. The owners–Dominick Calarco, Louis Ambrosio and John Trotta–are all Massapequa residents who set out to create an eatery with a sports theme and a friendly atmosphere.
“Basically it’s a neighborhood burger place–a glorified diner. The atmosphere is for the kids. It’s about them, and it’s their place,” Ambrosio said of the restaurant.
It looks like the Varsity Grill will be able to satiate any student appetite at any time–before school, during lunch, and after clubs and sports. Open to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu will cover all of the basics.
From eggs, bacon, and French toast for breakfast to hot dogs, burgers and carved meat sandwiches for lunch and dinner, the menu looks promising. For dessert, the restaurant will have yogurt and home-made ice cream.
“I love hot dogs and hamburgers, and it’s much more convenient [to eat at the Varsity Grill] than to drive all the way across town to All American for lunch,” senior Emily Munson said.
Junior Ryan Schulte agreed that the proximity of the restaurant is a convenience. “I think that it’s excellent to have a burger place in walking distance of MHS, because not everyone has the luxury of a car.”
Another huge benefit of the new burger joint is a student discount. If you’re a student, you will pay a lower price whenever you buy food. “All students of the Massapequa school system–Berner, the grade schools–all get treated equally. That’s why we have blue and gold as our colors. It’s going to be breakfast, lunch and dinner–whenever you guys come in, you’ll get a discount.” The Varsity Grill will offer discounts to hungry teachers as well!
What makes this restaurant even more unique is its décor. The whole restaurant is decked out in blue and gold–the Massapequa colors. From the stools that surround the counter to the tiles on the storefront, the Massapequa colors reign supreme.
The owners of the restaurant have also gathered memorabilia and team pictures from different MHS varsity teams to put up on the walls. In addition, they plan to put up the pictures and jerseys of graduated athletes who went on to play their sport in college.
But if school spirit is not enough to entice students, the owners are planning on adding ten televisions along the walls for diners to view sporting events during their meals.
Ambrosio and Calarco hope to host nights where students can “come in on a certain evening and watch a replay of the Massapequa vs West Islip football game or soccer game!”
“I’m so excited about eating there,” senior Jen Lander said. “The varsity theme looks very interesting. I can’t wait to go after swimming and during lunch!”
The Varsity Grill is bursting with Massapequa High School spirit and looks to be a cool place to grab a bite to eat this school year. Let’s hope that the food is as enticing as the Grill’s style!