Buttermilk's Chicken Brings New Dining Option To East Islip

EAST ISLIP, NY — Buttermilk's Chicken opened in East Islip on an auspicious week—the casual Southern fried chicken takeout eatery opened its doors on March 17, just as Long Island restaurants were forced to close dining areas and stay open as takeout and delivery only. Although it wasn't an ideal set of circumstances owners Jenn and Charlie Mastropaolo were happy to be able to open and bring a unique eating option to East Islip, they told Patch.

The couple previously owned five chicken restaurants on the East End called Country Rotisserrie, where they noticed their Southern fried chicken dishes and sandwiches were a huge seller at the family comfort-food spots.

"At the end of the day, people want a comforting meal," Charlie Mastropaolo said, who is originally from Queens and now lives in Center Moriches with Jenn. He first opened a chicken restaurant in Queens while in college and says Southern fried chicken doesn't necessarily belong to a certain region, but that it's more for anyone who enjoys the comfort food.

Buttermilk's uses the same recipe the couple has been serving for over 20 years. Their focus is on the freshness of their ingredients and so Buttermilk's has a limited menu of fried chicken sandwiches, kids' meals, fried chicken and fried shrimp platters.

The Mastropaolos took over Rizzo's Pizza in the same location at 93 E. Main St. and ran it for two years but began to feel that East Islip was so heavily saturated with pizza and Italian food options that the community might embrace something more unique.

"It's a great community with a ton of kids."

Although opening during the start of a pandemic was a "gamble" the couple reports that they are enjoying a positive reception from residents, many who find them through word of mouth referrals.

"We didn't have time to celebrate opening," Charlie Mastropaolo said. "We were just happy to be able to open and provide a reasonably-priced, good product and service to the local community."