Previously Published in The Messenger
By Cait Crudden
Ronkonkoma just got a whole lot toastier.
Toast Coffee + Kitchen officially opened the doors of its fifth Long Island location this past week, welcoming brunch lovers to a brand-new space at the heart of the Station Yards development. The latest addition to the growing Toast family boasts a vintage train depot theme, a heartfelt homage by owner Terence Scarlatos, who grew up just blocks away from the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station where the café now stands.
“This location is very special to me,” Scarlatos, joined by his wife, Jennifer, told The Messenger. He described a cross-country train ride he took in his “journey of self-discovery.” It was throughout places like New York, Seattle, and Portland that gave him the inspiration to create a coffeehouse. A mural inside the new Ronkonkoma location depicts a train and embodies hias long-time friend he met in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the conductor.
“There’s a lot of traveling in my background, but I wanted to do a little homage in the mural to that trip and really just to let people know that America is so large and there’s so much to see,” said Scarlatos, gesturing to the LIRR station just to the south. “Even just as something as simple as across the street from the train station, it’s unlimited where you can go.”
The new café is strategically located steps from the Ronkonkoma LIRR station and adjacent to the Village Green courtyard, placing it in the center of what is quickly becoming one of Suffolk County’s most dynamic neighborhoods. The area has already attracted a mix of dining and entertainment options, including VESPA Italian Kitchen & Cocktails, Lucharitos, The Pink Fin, The Great South Bay Brewery and Tap Room. The arrival of Toast solidifies the neighborhood’s growing reputation as a culinary and cultural destination.
The opening of Toast marks a major milestone for Station Yards, the transformative mixed-use development led by TRITEC Real Estate Company. When completed, Station Yards will feature 1,450 apartments, nearly 200,000 square feet of retail, over 360,000 square feet of office space, and a sprawling public plaza all centered around the busiest commuter rail station in Suffolk County. The current phase already includes 388 residential units and 70,000 square feet of commercial space.
For TRITEC, the addition of Toast is more than just another restaurant opening, it’s a sign that the vision of a walkable, livable, and lively town center is becoming reality. Ed McNamara, President of the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce, also praised the new location.
“Toast is the kind of place that makes a neighborhood feel complete,” said McNamara. “It’s welcoming, beautifully designed and already buzzing with life. We don’t take anything for granted in this community, and when we have a company like Toast coming in, and really this is, as far as I’m concerned, this is their flagship restaurant. It is just beautiful in there.”
Rick Ammirati, President of the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce, was also on hand to welcome Toast to the community, as was Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) and a representative for Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville).
The interior design, built around the concept of vintage travel and train station charm, is both nostalgic and forward-thinking, offering an atmosphere that’s perfect for leisurely weekend brunches, quick coffee meetups, and everything in between. A mix of warm wood tones, industrial lighting, and train-themed décor captures the essence of travel while celebrating the site’s proximity to the LIRR.
The Ronkonkoma location joins four other Toast cafés across Long Island, each with its own unique theme and ambiance. The Patchogue location channels a steampunk vibe, while the Long Beach branch echoes the Prohibition era. In Port Jefferson Station, visitors are greeted by a chic farmhouse setting, and the Bay Shore café dazzles with a playful carnival-themed experience.
Cheers!