Souper Fry Is Returning To Merrick Next Week

Chef Jonathan Passman is reopening his popular restaurant Souper Fry in his hometown of Merrick next week, resurrecting the eatery that he closed two years ago.

The home of the popular "Sazani," Souper Fry opened in 2007, but then closed in 2017 so Passman could go on to other projects. But now, working with Ivan Carrillo, who ran the kitchen at Souper Fry for a decade, the two are reopening the restaurant on Monday, March 4.

Souper Fry is even reopening in its original location -- at 1762 Merrick Road in Merrick -- after the landlord called Passman and asked him to reopen the restaurant because the eatery that took its place was closing.

Known for their daily variety of soups, salads, quesadillas, wraps and fries – with choice of 20 dipping sauces – Souper Fry is returning with “Old Skool” favorites like the famous Sazini - a chicken cutlet, mozzarella and bacon wrapini with house-made roscoe dressing. It has also added some “New Skool” items like The Benny-Boo, a mixed vegetable wrap with chipotle aioli, and The Judge, a short-rib wrap with sweet and sour relish, muenster cheese and baby spinach.

In addition, there’s an entirely new category called “Knishwiches” – knishes scooped out with pastrami, slow-roasted pork, roast beef, turkey and more. Menu item names pay tribute to the owner’s family and friends including the “Annie P,” honoring John’s late mother Annie who died unexpectedly in 2014.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and alumni of Calhoun High School, Passman's goal was to open a spot in his home town that served simple, no-fuss, tasty food. What he didn’t realize was that Souper Fry would become a pillar of the community and “safe zone” for kids.

“Every day kids from the three local high schools would come for lunch," Passman said. "They ordered the same thing every day and eventually became family. My father, the baseball coach at JFK High School for 19 years, and now Mepham, would work lunch and all of his athletes would come in. To be back with such a warm-welcome by the entire community is more than we could have ever imagined.” Passman's father, a retired NYPD detective and sergeant known to the kids as “Coach Passman,” will be back at his post serving lunch..

“I’ve been coming to Souper Fry since 7th grade," said Calhoun senior Austin Florez. "Rumors were circulating about the re-opening and people went crazy on social media. Nobody believed it but now everyone is going crazy trying to get the first Sazini!”

Social media in Merrick has created a contest to see who will eat the first Sazini when Souper Fry reopens. Will it be you?