Cheryl Griggs and her sister, Thelma Barno, opened Chara's Kitchen and Catering in Bellport in honor of their late mother who once owned her own soul food restaurant. Newsday food critic Corin Hirsch takes us to the restaurant to have a look at Cheryl's healthy spin on a classic soul food dish.


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Eatery hidden in church serves some of LI's best soul food

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The facility, on Jericho Turnpike, has been operating as a caterer since the 1950s, according to the suit filed in state Supreme Court.

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The restaurant offers Vietnamese hits like banh mi sandwiches, vermicelli noodle salads called bún and 19 varieties of pho.

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NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joins Newsday food writer Marie Elena Martinez at Hometown Bakeshop in Centerport to try customizable bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches.

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After 44 years, the Oak Chalet Restaurant in Bellmore closed its doors. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed talked to Gisela Wedel and her family about their restaurant.

'Gonna miss it so much'

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'The combination is just decadent'

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'Dancing was a big part of my life, so I want her to start young'

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Newsday's food team takes a look back at the best things they ate on Long Island in 2025.

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Just in time for Halloween, NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa tries the stuffed skull pinwheels at Juventus Pizza in Deer Park.

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