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The Triangle Pub, named for its location at the triangle where Eastport Manor Road and Old Country Road intersect in Eastport, has been serving local patrons and Hamptons visitors for more than 70 years.
Owner Tom Dismore, who started his career as a bartender in the establishment to earn extra cash while he was in college, has seen the clientele change over the years from mainly year-round residents to a shifting mix of locals and visitors on their way to the East End.
The interior wood paneling of the Triangle Pub gives the restaurant a slightly nautical feel, which Mr. Dismore deems fitting, considering that the establishment catered for many years mainly to what he called “sea dogs,” men who made their living on Long Island waters.
Today the restaurant, which sits a quarter mile south of Sunrise Highway where Old Montauk Highway meets Old Country Road, sees many more people on their way to Eastport and points east. Here, patrons can get a home-style meal while paying what advertisements for the Triangle Pub call some of the “most reasonable prices in the Hamptons.”
Mr. Dismore, who studied restaurant and hotel management in college, said he bought the restaurant from its former owner 21 years ago. “I was tired of working for someone else,” he said.
A Manorville native and graduate of Eastport High School, Mr. Dismore said running “the Triangle,” as it is known by the locals, has been a rewarding experience. “A job is a job,” he said. “But it’s been an enjoyable career.”
The owner explained that above all else, he enjoyed the company of his staff and customers. “From a social aspect, I like the people,” he said.
Though Mr. Dismore has worked in the establishment for more than two decades, he noted that many patrons have frequented the restaurant for longer. “A lot of the customers have been here before I was here,” he said.
Many of the members of Mr. Dismore’s staff have been around since he took over in 1987. He noted that the newest full-time addition to the seasoned staff arrived nearly three years ago. “You don’t find that in a restaurant,” said longtime bartender Joanne “Jo-Jo” Ziminski.
Ms. Ziminski, who worked alongside Mr. Dismore during his college years, said the staff and regular customers have become a second family to her. She recalled that when her mother passed away recently, she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from her coworkers. “The staff here was unbelievable,” she said.
Like Mr. Dismore, Ms. Ziminski said she enjoyed the social aspect of working behind the bar. “We all have good times,” she said. “We’re all very close.”
She said that on a few occasions a bar patron has alerted her to a customer who was behaving inappropriately. “Even the customers watch out for you,” she said.
Chef John Molesi, another veteran staff member, has worked at the establishment for 17 years. According to Mr. Molesi, picking the restaurant’s signature dish is a “toss-up between the hamburgers and the marinated steak tidbits.” The burgers are $5.50 for six ounces and $6.50 for 12 ounces and are served with fries. Eight-ounce turkey burgers are also available for $6. Marinated steak tidbits are available on the lunch menu for $8.95.
Mr. Dismore pointed out that the establishment had been nominated for having the best burgers on Long Island by voters on the America Online city guide two years running. “We grind our own chop meat every day,” the owner said.
Mr. Molesi described the cuisine as a blend of American and continental styles. Specials change daily; a recent selection included broiled swordfish and broiled salmon encrusted in horseradish sauce. Staples such as burgers, barbecue spare ribs ($11.95) and golden fried shrimp ($14.95) are always available.
“We cater to what anybody needs,” Mr. Molesi said.
Appetizers at the Triangle Pub include mozzarella sticks ($6); potato skins ($5); Cajun shrimp ($7.50); mussels ($8.50) and jalapeno poppers ($5).
Dinner entrée choices include filet mignon ($20.95); boneless pork chops ($13.95); broiled or fried flounder filet ($13.95); soft shell crabs ($16.95); corned beef and cabbage ($14.95) and seafood tortellini alfredo ($16.95). All entrées are served with dinner rolls, a salad and fresh vegetables.
The Triangle Pub also offers a chef’s salad ($6.50); a spinach salad ($5.50) and a Caesar salad ($5.50). Guests can add shrimp ($4.50) or chicken ($3.50) to any salad.
Mr. Molesi speculated that customers come back time and time again because of the atmosphere. “It’s comfortable and it’s friendly,” he said.
381 Old Montauk Hwy., Eastport; 325-1849
Monday through Sunday, open at 11 a.m.
All major credit cards
No reservations required for groups of less than eight
Not handicapped accessible
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