30 Years. 3 A.M. Wake-ups. And He Still Loves It. | Michael Pantano - Pantano’s Gourmet

🎙️ "30 Years. 3 A.M. Wake-ups. And He Still Loves It."

Hosted by Michael D'Onofrio & Vinny Pappalardo

Guest: Mike Pantano

If you've ever asked yourself "How do some restaurant owners stay this fired up after three decades?"-this episode is your answer.

This week on Staying Hungry, we sit down with Long Island legend Mike Pantano, the powerhouse behind Pantano’s Gourmet and Pantano’s Doz Bagels. With 30 years in the business, 3 a.m. wake-up calls, and six thriving locations, Mike is living proof that obsession, grit, and a perfectly sliced turkey sandwich can build an empire.

We get into it all-starting a deli at 19, surviving early failures, managing food costs without compromising quality, social media savvy sandwich marketing, and why doing the right thing for your customer still beats any growth hack. And yes, there’s an entire sandwich contest… with a name you won’t forget.

Whether you're a deli dreamer, a bagel boss, or a business owner navigating today's chaos, Mike’s insights on consistency, humility, and hunger hit hard.

🕒 Episode Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome to Staying Hungry

3:22 – 30 years in business: how it started

8:40 – The Pantano brand evolution & 6 locations

15:02 – Early failure: The Fifties Deli

19:45 – DJ gigs to deli deals: hustler origins

24:10 – Customer first, always

30:55 – Raising prices vs. cutting quality

36:00 – The Gettin’ Figgy Wit It sandwich contest

41:25 – Menu strategy: flavor without fluff

47:03 – POS systems, staff efficiency & scaling

53:20 – Social media: sandwiches that look as good as they taste

1:00:15 – Reviews: handling the one-star reality

1:09:10 – Clean stores, real bread, and lasting standards

1:17:35 – Why corporate chains flop in New York

1:24:00 – Advice to new owners: know your limit, love your grind

1:30:00 – Mike’s legacy, family, and future playbook