Staying Hungry presents “Keep It Secret, Keep It Saucy” (Ep. 119) - an inside look at how one Long Island chef built a hidden pizza empire from the ground up.

This week, hosts Michael D’Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with Mike Vittorio - the creative force behind Mike’s Underground Pizza and Vittorio’s Italian Steakhouse. Together, they peel back the layers of what it really takes to turn passion into a brand people line up for.

Vittorio shares how clean, unbromated flour and a 450-pound backyard tomato harvest shaped his signature sauce, why owning your building might be the smartest move in hospitality, and how staying small helped him grow big. The trio dives into dry-aged ribeyes, staffing and work ethic, social-media hype, restaurant tech (POS, AI phone systems, digital payments), and the balancing act between expansion and authenticity.

For restaurant owners, chefs, and entrepreneurs - this episode is equal parts masterclass and motivation, served with plenty of sauce.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Staying Hungry & intro to Mike “Mikey Underground” Esposito

2:18 – Growing up in the business: from fisherman’s son to pizzeria lifer

6:45 – Why Victoria’s Italian Steakhouse was born from “doing everything possible with a piece of dough”

11:02 – Clean flour, bromate, and why most bread doesn’t taste like bread anymore

16:30 – 450 lbs of tomatoes, backyard farming & the best sauce he’s ever made

21:40 – Garden-to-table: pairing fresh veg with steak, fish, and Italian classics

25:55 – Family, kids in the restaurant, and teaching independence through hospitality

31:20 – Real estate, buying the building, and protecting razor-thin restaurant margins

36:48 – Community, Pizza Strong, and why giving back always comes back

42:05 – Vito’s as a “hidden gem” & menu philosophy: big, flexible, and guest-focused

47:10 – Dry-aged steak 101: aging in-house, flavor, shrinkage & pricing

52:32 – Clean kitchens, inspectors, horror stories & why bathrooms really matter

57:00 – Staffing, work ethic, and why some young workers tap out on the grind

1:02:15 – Tech & restaurants: POS pain, fees, AI phone answering & digital currency worries

1:08:40 – Social media, Mike’s Underground mystique & turning demand into brand

1:14:05 – Franchising offers, expansion plans & keeping quality from getting watered down

1:18:30 – Legacy, Johnny’s Farm & what it means to nourish a community

Staying Hungry dives deep into what it really takes to grow a hospitality brand without losing your soul.

In this episode, “Scaling Without Selling Out,” hosts Michael D’Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with James Bonanno, co-founder and CEO of Upstream Hospitality Group - the team behind Tap Room, Bango Bowls, Salt Shack, and more Long Island favorites.

From two broke bartenders to a multi-concept operation, James breaks down how Upstream scaled smart - building systems, culture, and tech that keep guests happy and teams proud. This one’s all about the mindset shift from running restaurants to running a company.

If you’re a restaurant owner, operator, or anyone in hospitality trying to grow without compromising quality or authenticity - this conversation will hit home.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:41 Jamie’s Early Career in Hospitality

03:34 The Birth of Taproom

10:11 Scaling the Business

13:42 Challenges and Successes

16:06 Franchising and Expansion

20:44 Technology and Data in Restaurants

24:59 Partnerships and Future Plans

31:15 Working with Tritech: Initial Hesitations and Success

32:17 The Impact of Location and Development on Business

35:34 Expanding with New Concepts and Franchises

38:36 Building a Strong Leadership Team

43:21 Networking and Community Building

45:50 Balancing Work and Personal Life

49:52 Future Plans and Mentorship

58:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Guest & Sponsorship Inquiries - [email protected] episodes dropping soon! *SUBSCRIBE*: https://www.youtube.com/@stayinghungrypodcast?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW US:https://www.instagram.com/stayinghungrypodcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/4cfz4H7IIzUlEcGtwSgJMuhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573551302497https://www.linkedin.com/company/staying-hungry-podcast/Podcast by Viola Media: https://viola.media/#stayinghungry #hospitalityindustry #restaurantbusiness

From dishwasher to nightlife king - Scottie Campbell has spent 33 years turning Long Island waterfronts into cultural landmarks. In this episode of Staying Hungry, hosts Michael D’Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with the man behind Dublin Deck, Harbor Crab, Salt Shack, and The Boatyard at Tobay Beach to unpack how a kid from Patchogue built a multi-concept hospitality empire.

Scottie shares what he wishes he’d told his 20-year-old self - from scaling seasonal monsters to keeping teams loyal, reading cultural shifts before they happen, and why the real win in nightlife is often found in the daylight: real estate, relationships, and reinvestment. You’ll hear how Patchogue’s “Alive After Five” blueprint became the model for reviving entire downtowns, how speakeasies are redefining post-dinner traffic, and why food is now the headliner in the age of bottle service.

For operators, restaurateurs, and anyone chasing the next evolution in hospitality, Scottie breaks down how to balance nightlife energy with long-term business discipline, why owning your dirt (or your longevity) changes every deal, how to price, staff, and program high-volume waterfront venues, how to turn POS data into both a theft deterrent and forecast engine, and how to create midweek cash flow through music, memberships, and moments.

Timestamps

00:00 Cold open: “I’m smashed”—the hat story

01:09 Welcome + guest intro (Scottie’s 33 years, first buy-in at 21)

04:10 The Dublin era (Down, Up, Over) and 90s club economics

09:35 Why food wins now: regulations, guest expectations, and margin mix

12:22 Dublin Deck & Harbor Crab: seasonal scale, marina math, and a $2M reinvest

16:58 Patchogue’s playbook: Alive After Five, chambers, and housing as demand engine

22:40 Tap Room origin & letting partners run—owner bandwidth vs. brand growth

27:05 New builds: Amsterdam (revamped Meatball), Millie Smashburger, Aces & Eights speakeasy + membership model

33:11 Programming that sells: Sessions house-music nights, ticketing, and bottle strategy

38:44 Drinks are changing: RTDs, seltzers, and the cannabis coexistence question

44:30 Tech stack: Toast, cashless shift, cameras, and promo via lists + IG collabs

49:18 Hiring, culture, and boomerang staff—how to get them back each summer

53:02 Giveback ops: Kris Kringle fund & Home for the Holidays service day

58:41 Owner hindsight: save earlier, drink less, choose partners wisely

1:02:10 Lightning round & where to find Scottie’s concepts

If Staying Hungry has a house style, it’s this: sharp knives, sharper insights. In this episode, hosts Michael D'Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with DJ CHEF - the Food Network–famous chef/DJ hybrid who went from Bobby Flay’s line to building a high-margin, book-out-the-weekend experiential catering brand that restaurant owners can actually learn from.

Why watch (restaurant-operator edition): This is a playbook in disguise - menu engineering for dietary chaos, turning off-nights into profit centers, packaging “experience” for premium pricing, building charity/event pipelines, and social content that sells bookings.

Timestamps

00:00 Opening riff & why Saturdays are for working, not dining

02:05 Boombox to bar gigs: becoming “the DJ in Long Beach”

06:40 First kitchen reps: deli to hot line, NY Restaurant School

10:15 Time Café stories & first special (dessert taco) with A-list guests

14:30 Crossing the street: interviewing with Bobby Flay & opening insanity

18:55 Corporate dining pivot (Sodexo/Marriott) → discovering private events

22:40 Birth of DJ CHEF: cook while DJing; Food Network notices

27:10 From TV to stage shows & global activations (Dubai, festivals)

30:25 The bachelorette-party niche & naming the DJ CHEF Experience

34:05 Menus that survive allergies; the dessert routine that always lands

38:10 Gear talk: why CDJs > laptops when you’re cooking live

40:45 Format & pricing: 3-hour parties, day/pre-game/prime slots, OT rules

44:20 Hamptons wins (Dan’s Papers & Top Chef Hamptons); charity engines

48:00 Products: Hamptons by DJ CHEF cookware/knives & Firehouse Flavor

52:15 Social media that books real gigs (IG → TikTok → YT search)

55:30 Scaling & seasonality: Florida winters, teams, and brand control

59:10 Closing thoughts: burnout alternatives for chefs + work/life with family

If you think great pizza sells itself, think again. On Staying Hungry, hosts Michael D'Onofrio & Vinny Pappalardo sit down with Anthony Laurino of Phil’s Pizza (Syosset) - the owner who turned a neighborhood pizzeria into a destination brand by treating the internet like his busiest dining room. Smart, fast, and funny, this episode is a playbook for restaurant owners who want lines at the counter and reach on the timeline.

What’s inside (for operators):

How Anthony went from a “roach coach” coffee truck to owning Phil’s - without knowing how to stretch a pie on day one.

The “I’m not Phil” persona and how authentic, repeatable bits become brand assets.

A no-BS social media strategy: timing posts, thinking like your guest, and why experience is greater than food photos.

Turning virality into revenue: specials that move, photo spots that convert, and measuring lift.

Hiring, family ops, and culture that survives a Friday night crush.

Community impact: Long Island Pizza Strong and how giving back grows the whole pie.

Timestamps

00:00 – Cold open: “I’ll never run out of content.”
02:05 – Meet Anthony: from coffee truck routes to his first pizzeria
06:48 – Apprenticeship lessons (and buying a shop before mastering the pie)
12:10 – Why it’s called Phil’s (and the birth of the “I’m not Phil” shirt)
16:30 – Building a family-run operation: roles, trust, and longevity
21:02 – Evolving or disappearing: what 80s operators missed
25:40 – Social media that sells: timing posts, raw stories, and shock value (done right)
32:55 – Viral to visits: specials, set pieces, and turning viewers into guests
38:20 – Staffing buy-in, guest expectations, and handling the “yell at me” crowd
43:07 – Giving back: Pizza Strong, scholarships, and community partnerships
49:11 – Monetization myths: platforms, pitfalls, and why brand is greater than pennies per view
55:26 – Collabs that matter (and when to say no)
1:02:00 – The operator’s mindset: gratitude, boundaries, and doing the right thing
1:07:15 – Closing advice for restaurateurs starting content today

Phil's Pizza of Syosset

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@philspizzasyosset

Website: https://www.philspizzasyosset.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philspizzasyosset

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philspizzasyosset/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/philspizzasyosset/

Guest & Sponsorship Inquiries - [email protected]

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#stayinghungry #hospitalityindustry #restaurantbusiness

Welcome back to Staying Hungry, the podcast where restaurant life gets real.

In this episode - “King of the Misfit Toys: A Chef’s Playbook for Chaos” - hosts Michael D’Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with award-winning chef, author, and entrepreneur Eric LeVine of 317 Main Street. Known for his no-BS honesty, Chef Eric pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to thrive in hospitality.

From the dish that sparked his culinary passion at age six, to mastering social media as a tool for inspiration, to embracing AI in restaurants, Chef Eric delivers raw insight, big laughs, and hard-earned wisdom. He also opens up about resilience through personal struggles, why leadership is about building foundations, and his vision to empower chefs by creating opportunities for them to own their future.

If you’re a restaurant owner, chef, or anyone who’s ever lived the grind of hospitality, this one’s packed with lessons you won’t forget.

01:00 Eric Levine's Early Inspirations

01:57 Mentorship and Learning

02:35 Creating a Home-like Experience

05:19 Challenges and Successes

07:06 Partnerships and Collaborations

15:38 Life Coaching and Helping Others

21:12 Personal Reflections and Writing a Book

24:22 Diverse Experiences in the Restaurant Industry

26:20 Customer Service and Consistency

33:51 Mentors and Inspirations

37:56 Battling Cancer and Winning 'Chopped'

41:54 Running the New York Marathon

50:43 Balancing Work and Personal Life

55:50 Guiding the Next Generation

01:00:41 Understanding Ego Death

01:04:14 Creating and Publishing Cookbooks

01:07:01 The Journey of Forking Good

01:14:59 The Farmingdale Story

01:22:47 Future Plans and Family Involvement

01:24:52 Passion for the Culinary Industry

In this episode of Staying Hungry, hosts Mike D’Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with Salvatore Bono, founder of O.G. Ramen in Babylon, NY. Sal pulls back the curtain on what really goes into America’s food system - and why so many restaurants have traded authenticity and quality for mass production and convenience.

From the hidden dangers of seed oils and pre-made soup bases to the art and science of crafting ramen the right way, Sal makes a strong case for why the future of dining has to be rooted in transparency, ingredient integrity, and respect for tradition. If you’re a restaurant owner, chef, or hospitality pro looking for a fresh perspective on balancing quality, health, and scalability, this episode is packed with insight you can’t afford to miss.

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction & Sal’s culinary background

6:12 – Opening OG Ramen in the middle of COVID

14:45 – The obsession with authentic ramen & Japanese traditions

22:30 – Why American ramen shops rely on pre-made bases

31:05 – The hidden dangers of seed oils, bleached flour & processed food

40:28 – Catering to allergies and dietary restrictions without compromise

49:55 – How COVID reshaped customer awareness around food & health

57:15 – Building a restaurant brand without fryers, freezers, or MSG

1:06:32 – Educating customers on ingredients (and why storytelling matters)

1:12:40 – Advice for restaurant owners: trading convenience for true quality

🎙️ "30 Years. 3 A.M. Wake-ups. And He Still Loves It."

Hosted by Michael D'Onofrio & Vinny Pappalardo

Guest: Mike Pantano

If you've ever asked yourself "How do some restaurant owners stay this fired up after three decades?"-this episode is your answer.

This week on Staying Hungry, we sit down with Long Island legend Mike Pantano, the powerhouse behind Pantano’s Gourmet and Pantano’s Doz Bagels. With 30 years in the business, 3 a.m. wake-up calls, and six thriving locations, Mike is living proof that obsession, grit, and a perfectly sliced turkey sandwich can build an empire.

We get into it all-starting a deli at 19, surviving early failures, managing food costs without compromising quality, social media savvy sandwich marketing, and why doing the right thing for your customer still beats any growth hack. And yes, there’s an entire sandwich contest… with a name you won’t forget.

Whether you're a deli dreamer, a bagel boss, or a business owner navigating today's chaos, Mike’s insights on consistency, humility, and hunger hit hard.

🕒 Episode Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome to Staying Hungry

3:22 – 30 years in business: how it started

8:40 – The Pantano brand evolution & 6 locations

15:02 – Early failure: The Fifties Deli

19:45 – DJ gigs to deli deals: hustler origins

24:10 – Customer first, always

30:55 – Raising prices vs. cutting quality

36:00 – The Gettin’ Figgy Wit It sandwich contest

41:25 – Menu strategy: flavor without fluff

47:03 – POS systems, staff efficiency & scaling

53:20 – Social media: sandwiches that look as good as they taste

1:00:15 – Reviews: handling the one-star reality

1:09:10 – Clean stores, real bread, and lasting standards

1:17:35 – Why corporate chains flop in New York

1:24:00 – Advice to new owners: know your limit, love your grind

1:30:00 – Mike’s legacy, family, and future playbook

From graffiti-covered subway cars to fondant-sculpted Louis Vuitton cakes, The Cake Don takes us on a wild ride through reinvention, resilience, and raw hustle. In this episode of Staying Hungry, we sit down with the former shoe company personnel turned fondant phenom to unpack how one favor for a friend sparked a culinary empire - powered by Queens grit and social media savvy.

If you're a restaurant owner, food entrepreneur, or simply someone who values a no-nonsense approach to success, this conversation is tailored for you. We dive into the graffiti roots that led to an education on the legendary 7 Train “art school,” and explore how something as simple as your “first cake” could become a life-changing moment. You'll hear how social media, when used strategically, can serve as a powerful and free tool for acquiring customers. We also discuss how to transform casual patrons into devoted advocates - pro tip: never underestimate the influence of local moms’ Facebook groups. The story includes lessons from running a bakery driven by both heart and hustle and ultimately, building a legacy business designed for the next generation.

This episode is a masterclass in brand building, storytelling, and staying relentless - even when you're icing cakes at 2AM.

⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00] Nostalgic Beginnings: Jones Beach Memories

[01:05] Generational Differences in Upbringing

[05:58] The Journey to Becoming 'The Cake Don'

[12:21] Discovering a Hidden Talent for Cake Making

[14:35] Building a Cake Business from Scratch

[31:27] The Power of Social Media and Networking

[49:42] Instagram Insights and Posting Strategies

[57:50] Collaborations and Business Growth

[01:00:29] The Power of Social Media Trends

[01:04:18] Unexpected Opportunities and Success Stories

[01:20:39] The Importance of Networking and Kindness

[01:29:16] Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

Welcome to Staying Hungry, where passion meets purpose - plate by plate.

In this soul-stirring episode, hosts Mike and Vinny sit down with Jackie from Tula Kitchen, a Bay Shore culinary institution with a deeper mission: to heal through food. What started as a daughter watching her mother save her father’s life with nutrition became a lifelong philosophy and a restaurant unlike any other.

From exploring what’s really in our food and how it impacts both body and mind, to uncovering the hidden challenges and rewards of running a mission-driven restaurant, this conversation dives deep into the soul of what we eat and why it matters. We’ll look at the power of energy, intention, and human connection in the kitchen, and how old-school values can still thrive in a hyper-digital, DoorDash-fueled world. And finally, we ask whether the secret to longevity might be found in the famed Blue Zones - or perhaps, right on a plate at Tula. 

This isn't just a conversation about cuisine - it’s a conversation about conscious living. If you’ve ever questioned what’s in your meal, why you eat what you eat, or how restaurants should serve their communities, this one’s for you.

Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome to Tula Kitchen: A Unique Dining Experience

[04:47] The Meaning Behind Tula

[09:46] The Evolution of Bayshore and Tula's Impact

[14:15] The Tula Experience: More Than Just Food

[22:03] The Future of Tula Kitchen

[34:02] The Role of Technology in Tula's Operations

[37:21] Balancing Financials and Staff Happiness

[43:42] Reflections on Childhood and Parenting

[47:16] Mentoring and Community Involvement

[55:09] Summer Plans and Catering Services

[59:59] Exploring Blue Zones and Longevity

[01:04:34] Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude