Be a true Yankee and support a local business!

While watching a televised game show, do you ever wonder how the winning contestants spend their cash award? After winning $25,000 on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”, Josh Gatewood’s investment is paying off right on Main Street in Islip — in the form of delicious air-fried chicken.

Who wants to start a chicken business?

The story of Yankee Doodle Dandy’s making its way to an Islip storefront is an inspiring one. Founder Josh Gatewood had been working in a boiler room on Wall Street, living on food stamps, and could no longer afford rent. Completely defeated, Gatewood left New York City to sleep on an air-mattress on his sister’s floor in Knoxville, Tennessee. That same week, he received the call that he made it onto the televised game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

“ I threw some stuff in a backpack and took a Megabus from Knoxville to D.C. and from D.C. to NYC,” shared Gatewood. “I filmed the show right there, and on the show I called my shot that I would be opening Yankee Doodle Dandy’s in NYC when I had about $600 to my name.”

Josh Gatewood had attended the University of Tennessee and the University of South Carolina, home to many beloved chicken restaurants that haven’t yet expanded to the north. He hoped to create a similar dining experience on Long Island. Gatewood and his business partner Ryan Giles first invested in a New York City food truck, a lucrative success, before opening the Islip location of Yankee Doodle Dandy’s just before Christmas of 2023.

What’s in a name?

The patriotic name is inspired by the American dream. In the years leading up to the Revolutionary War, the song “Yankee Doodle” could be heard playing pn fife and drum by patriots rallying for independence. Gatewood’s direct ancestor served in the American Revolution. Naturally, Gatewood was inspired to name his business after the all-American essence of his food and brand.

A new wave of support

Despite impressive reviews — currently 4.8 on Google and now 4.6 on Yelp — Yankee Doodle Dandy’s Islip location has not yet become a sustainable operation due to lack of business. In late January on an Islip Facebook page, Gatewood wrote a heartfelt, transparent plea asking residents of the greater Islip area to give the restaurant a try.

“I have 2 options right now: either close our store--or send this out to ask for your support,” read the post. “I am not looking for a handout--I am looking for people to come to our restaurant, try our food, and spread the word. We are a small business, and we’re struggling right now, but I have 100% confidence in Yankee Doodle Dandy’s food.”

Islip residents were quick to show support. On Jan. 26, the Islip restaurant had one of their best days yet with a new wave of enthusiastic new customers.

Chef Mike Landesberg from Jackson Hall in East Islip helped support Yankee Doodle Dandy’s go to unforeseen heights. Chef Mike posted on his social platforms and even conducted a giveaway to anyone that came to the restaurant and took photos.

“The impact was immeasurable,” noted Gatewood. “We’ve had hundreds of people say they were sent by Chef Mike.”

According to Gatewood, they are not out of the woods yet. Yankee Doodle Dandy’s still needs continued support. If you visit, expect a simple menu that lets the chicken in each dish shine. Among the most popular items is their Love Me Tender Chicken Sandwich featuring hand-breaded chicken tenders served on a brioche bun, topped with Spirit of ’76 sauce, green leaf lettuce, beefsteak tomato, American cheese and dill pickle chips, served with fries, a two ounce cup of Spirit of ‘76 and a New York dill deli pickle spear.

Josh’s determination and the heartwarming show of support from the greater Islip community proves that anything — even following your wildest chicken dreams — is possible.

“It has really changed my outlook. I am not one to quit. But I was pretty close to feeling like I was at my breaking point. This support has rejuvenated the spirits of both me and my partner Ryan Giles,” shared Josh Gatewood. “We know what we have here. We truly believe in it. To see it be confirmed by the community we’ve been working to build it means the world to us…Thank you for keeping my dream alive.”