Dr. Oz Show Highlights Charitable Restaurateur, Presents Grant

BOONTON, NJ — Restaurant owner Mickey Chopra has donated meals to over 1,000 essential workers, cooked in food kitchens and organized food drives during the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz recognized and rewarded Chopra for his service.

In a segment that aired on the Feb. 5 episode of "The Dr. Oz Show," the host surprised Chopra at his restaurants I21 Indian Italian Fusion and Vinnie's Pizzeria & Ristorante, located in adjacent buildings at 406 Main St. and 408 Main St. in Boonton.

Oz highlighted the work Chopra has done to help feed locals, despite his own eating establishments struggling to stay afloat. Boonton Mayor Richard Corcoran then handed Chopra a laptop computer, on which was a video featuring several people thanking Chopra for his contribution. Among those featured in the video were: Sgt. Gil Benitez of the Mountain Lakes Police Department, a local food pantry worker, a local nurse, State Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn (R-Mendham) and State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-Boonton).

Then, according to The Daily Record, Oz presented a video tribute from Door Dash COO Christopher Payne, who said Chopra would receive a $10,000 grant and "white-glove service" to set up a new website.

Chopra said "faith, hope and patience," allowed him to help so many people, while his own restaurants were struggling.

"I am the perfect example of the American dream. I may be born in India, but here you see America right here," Chopra said pointing to himself. "I was not going to let the pandemic shatter my American dream."

Chopra continued: "There's always a goodness, you know, but I knew people are going to help me and I decided to start donating."

Chopra told Oz that when word spread about him donating food to a local hospital, a corporate office called and said it would pay for the donation of another 500 meals.

"You primed the pump, and they came," Oz said.

Read more at DailyRecord.com.