Brand-New Business: Sorto's Top Bun

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night kept new business from opening a couple of months ago.

In fact, despite the massive snowfall that hit Long Island the day after Christmas 2010, this new Lindenhurst - which sells burgers, fries and other foods - kept to its scheduled opening that same day.

“We actually did pretty good business,” said Ronis Morales, operating manager of the eat-in/take-out restaurant. “We were busy with local workers, sanitation crews, firefighters on standby.”

And the teenage craving for French fries trumped the harsh weather, too. 

“Lots of kids came in that day, covered in snow!” Morales said with a grin.

Top Bun is family-owned and -operated by Sorto and Morales, LLC. The owners are Ronis’ brother, Ruben Morales, and the brothers’ uncle, Nelson Sorto.

Located on the east side of South Wellwood Avenue, just a few stores down from the intersection of Wellwood and Hoffman Avenues, the casual eatery sports a red-and-white checkerboard design out front, and a red and green motif within. 

Also within the new establishment are hamburgers - lots and lots of hamburgers. 

The burgers have the distinction of being served on whole-wheat buns. 

“We use fresh bakery bread. And our burgers are never frozen, always fresh,” said Ruben Morales. “We cook our fresh-seasoned burgers over a charcoal grill and do not use a flat iron.”

Noting that customers can enjoy their meals in the attractive comfortable booths or order their food to go, Ruben Morales said, “This is high quality food served in a fast-food style.”

Besides a variety of burgers and four kinds of fries, including curly fries and sweet potato fries, Top Bun offers additional menu items to satisfy its “non-burger” customers: mozzarella sticks, Buffalo wings, chicken fingers and chicken sandwiches.

“We’ve just added salads and veggie burgers, as well as a lunch special of grilled cheese on baked Texas Toast,” said Ruben Morales.

 “Our family’s been in the restaurant business for decades,” said Ronis Morales. “Our parents were always in restaurant work, and my brother and I have worked in the business since our teens. We’re jacks-of-all-trades. We’ve done everything from being runners to waiters to cooks, and we've worked in corporate settings, individual diners and pizzerias.”

wants to actively contribute to Lindenhurst community life, according to Ronis Morales.

“We’ve already donated gift certificates for the Chinese auction fundraisers held at local elementary schools and the high school,” he explained.

“And we’ve signed on to sponsor a Lindenhurst Little League team this spring,” added Ruben Morales.

is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The burger - whose street address is 136 South Wellwood Avenue - is on Facebook and can be reached at 631-991-7373.