Business Profile: Yorktown Grill
Photo credit: Neal Rentz
The Crossett family has long been active in the restaurant field and two members of the clan recently brought their skills to Yorktown.
Katonah resident Bob Crossett and Bedford resident Matt Crossett, his brother, opened the Yorktown Grill in the Yorktown Green Shopping Center in late October.
While the Yorktown Grill is the first restaurant owned by the brothers, they have been working for many years is the industry. Their father, Doug, who has been in the restaurant business since 1979, is consulting for his sons’ new business. “He helped us out a ton with it,” Bob said.
Yorktown Grill is located in the site that formerly housed Finnegan’s Grill. The brothers bought the building in the spring and after obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, reconstruction on the building began in August. The duo purchased some new kitchen equipment, the bar was pushed back 18 inches for more room for bar and dining patrons, bought new tables and chairs, created a new middle wall and took out the old booths, Matt said.
The brothers chose to open their establishment at the former Finnegan’s site in part because the electrical systems, plumbing, much of the kitchen equipment, and the bar were in good shape when the duo bought the building, Matt said.
“It seemed like a very good opportunity,” he said. “We just saw an opportunity in Yorktown as well as to have another restaurant that can provide a good quality meal at hopefully a decent price.”
He added Yorktown residents who had gone to Doug Crossett’s restaurants said they wanted a new eatery in their town.
Bob said Yorktown “is a sports fanatics’ place. The sports at Yorktown High School are incredible” and the town needed a family restaurant/sports bar, Matt said.
The establishment features 15 big screen televisions, which show a variety of sports, including all the NFL games and all games involving local pro teams.
The menu is generally American, featuring comfort food like chicken pot pie, as well as burgers, entrée salads, wraps, tacos. and sandwiches, Matt said.
“We have a killer burger, really tasty,” he said. “Our brand is always big portions. We want people to be wowed when they see how much food is actually on the plate.” The main chef is Wilson Jarro.
Doug Crossett said his sons are devoted to paying back every dollar they borrowed. “They made a commitment, whether it’s three years or four years or five years, they are making no salary and will take no money out until every single investor is paid in full,” adding his sons will just live on tips until the all the investors are paid. .
Bob said the restaurant business is “a lot of fun. The people are great.”
“We’re both sports guys,” Matt said. “Being able to come to work and making sure you watch every game is definitely a benefit.”
Matt said the new business has another advantage. “It allows us to work together,” he said. “We’re a pretty close family unit.”
The Yorktown Grill is located at 347 Downing Dr. in the Yorktown Green Shopping Center. For more information call 914-232-0946 or send an e-mail to mdcrossett@gmail.com.
