One Egg and a Dream to an 85-Year Legacy | Merrill Zorn - Zorn’s of Bethpage

Welcome to another soul-stirring episode of Staying Hungry, where legacy meets lunch and grit gets deep-fried. In Episode 107, hosts Vinny and Mike sit down with the incredible Merrill Zorn, third-generation owner of Zorn’s of Bethpage - a Long Island institution that’s been feeding families (and their nostalgia) for over 85 years.This isn’t just a story about rotisserie chicken. It’s a meditation on tradition, tenacity, and turkey - told through the lens of a woman who's carried a family dream forward, one pot pie at a time. From pioneering takeout in the 1940s to navigating modern food costs and labor shortages, Merrill shares what it takes to preserve a brand that means home for so many New Yorkers.📍 Whether you’re a foodie, entrepreneur, or just someone who knows the emotional weight of a good chicken leg, this episode will feed more than your stomach. It’ll feed your soul.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Intro[05:23] From Turkey Farm to Takeout Pioneer: The Birth of Zorn’s[12:47] Meryl Zorn on Legacy, Leadership, and Lessons from Her Grandfather[24:15] Challenges in Modern Hospitality: Labor, Costs, and Staying Authentic[30:55] Outro