On a dining scene as competitive as Long Island’s, it takes more than just good food to stand out. It takes consistency, personality, and a place people feel connected to. For over two decades, Mim’s Restaurant in Roslyn Heights has quietly built exactly that.
Located at 235 Roslyn Road, Mim’s has been a neighborhood mainstay since opening in 2001. Today, under owner Brian Kauffman, the 4,000 square foot restaurant continues to evolve while staying true to what made it special in the first place: a welcoming atmosphere, crowd pleasing American cuisine, and a space where people come together to celebrate.
“We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re trying to be really good at what people actually want,” Kauffman said. “Great food, a comfortable environment, and a place where people feel like they can come back again and again.”
The menu reflects that philosophy. While offering a broad selection from fresh salads and pastas to steaks and chops, Mim’s has become especially known for its standout dishes, including its salmon, skirt steak, and signature cheeseburger, along with a rotating lineup of specials and house made desserts.
But what truly sets Mim’s apart is not just what is on the plate. It is what happens around the table.
“This is a place where people have celebrated everything, first dates, birthdays, engagements, baby showers, anniversaries, even weddings,” Kauffman said. “We hear stories all the time from guests who have been coming here for years. That is something you cannot manufacture.”
Mim’s story is uniquely tied to one of the most significant days in American history. Originally scheduled to open on September 11, 2001, the restaurant instead opened its doors the following day.
“When we opened on September 12, it was a raucous crowd,” Kauffman said. “People were not coming out just for dinner. They were coming out to be together. That feeling of community, of needing a place to gather, has really defined Mim’s ever since.”
As the restaurant approaches its 25th anniversary in 2026, falling on Rosh Hashanah, a time of reflection and renewal, that connection feels especially meaningful.
“Over the past 25 years, there have been countless celebrations here, and being part of people’s lives in that way, even now, is something we do not take lightly.”
Since acquiring the restaurant in 2021, Kauffman has made thoughtful updates to both the space and the menu, refining the restaurant’s identity while preserving its character. A streamlined menu, updated interior touches, and a renewed focus on guest experience have helped position Mim’s for continued growth.
A major part of that growth has come from private events and catering, which now make up a significant portion of the business. From rehearsal dinners and bridal showers to milestone celebrations and corporate events, Mim’s has become a go to destination for gatherings of all kinds.
“This has been our busiest year yet for events,” Kauffman said. “People trust us with their most important moments, and we take that seriously.”
The restaurant also embraces the local community by staying open for key holidays, including Easter and Passover, where it hosts traditional seder dinners, further reinforcing its role as more than just a place to eat, but a place to gather.
Kauffman, who brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the role, acknowledges the challenges of running a restaurant in today’s environment, but remains fully committed to the business.
“It is not easy, especially with everything going on in the industry,” he said. “But I am here every day, I am involved in everything, and I genuinely love it. That is what keeps it going.”
With a strong team in place, including a tenured kitchen team, and a renewed focus on both food and experience, Mim’s Restaurant is not just maintaining its legacy. It is building on it.
For more information or to make a reservation, call 516-625-7305 or visit mimsny.com.
