Hurricane Grill Balancing Business, Charity

Eight months after Hurricane Grill & Wings opened its doors, the restaurant is ready to give back.

Owner Steven Critelli proposed a solution to overwhelming demand for donations. “Help the charity, help the good cause,” Steven said, “Eventually, you’ll try to help everyone.”

Generosity has been in the Critelli family before Hurricane. David Critelli, Steven’s brother, has been involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for years. David has donated time and money to the research, and as a financial backer of Hurricane, Steven says his brother is happy about the notion. 

Critelli is inviting charity groups into his tropically-themed bar and grill, which is reputed as a trendy happy hour and family dinner spot. It won’t be hard to draw in good-willed patrons with dishes like Santa Fe Churrasco, a citrus-marinated steak, and Firecracker shrimp and over 30 wing sauces .

“I come here all the time. Relax, watch football, feels like you’re at a beach hut,” Eric Allert said, a wing-enthusiast.

Starting this September, the Florida-based franchise will have “Charity Nights” once a month. At the moment, the details are still subject to change but the owner has a rough concept. The first Monday or Tuesday of each month will be designated Charity Night. “[At Hurricane] we all do things periodically. This will be more structured,” Critelli said.  

The basic idea is that a chosen charity will notify members to eat at Hurricane on a specified day. Charities can use any means to send out details: word of mouth, social networking or ads. The owner has decided to leave that decision for individual organizations.

On Charity Night, any table that is affiliated with the charity will receive the same service and prices as regular customers. The only difference is that an undetermined percentage of the money will go to the charity. The remainder will be Hurricane’s profit.

A charity has not been picked to kick-off the series but when one is, members will be instructed to go to the Hurricane Grill & Wings in Hauppauge, in the Motor Parkway Plaza. The restaurant is easy enough to find, just a minute drive off Exit 55 on 1-495.

Based on the layout, the dining area that seats about 150 people should be able to accommodate most charities regardless of size. To ensure Hurricane will still have room for full-paying patrons, the deal will be valid from open to close and members can dine as separate parties instead of using a single block of time and space.

Since the events will be frequent, Critelli is prudent about promising charities a certain percentage of the bill at this point, which could encumber Hurricane Bar and Grill. For right now, the first-time restaurant owner is trying to find a balance between business and charity.

If you are an interested charity, Hurricane Grill & Wings is accepting applications. Call 631- 434-9464 or email steve.critelli@hurricanewings.com.