About the dover group
Serving the Long Island Community for Over 100 Years
As Long Island’s premier restaurant and events group we are committed to serving our customers, staff, and community.
History
Where it all Began
From humble beginnings to hosting some of Long Island’s largest events and brands, the Dover Group has been serving the Long Island community for over 100 years. Butch Yamali, founder of the Dover Group, started it all with a single ice cream truck and has grown the Dover Group into fourteen entities that employs over 1000 people and continues to serve Long Island families and brands such as Pepsi, Target, CVS, Food Town, Ford, JetBlue, the New York Islanders and many more.
Butch Yamali, founder of the Dover Group, began his career in the restaurant industry at the age of 14 working at the Dover Delicatessen at 683 Lexington Avenue in New York City, owned and operated by his father, Abraham Yamali. Abraham was an immigrant from Greece, who believed in good old fashioned hard work, he said “You can always judge a person’s character by how hard they work.” The Dover Delicatessen operated in Manhattan from 1910 through 1990, and not only served many celebrities but employed famous actor Sylvester Stallone who delivered sandwiches while attending acting school. Sly remembers his tenure at the deli and the infamous story of when he was arrested for throwing a chicken at someone’s face.
While the Dover Delicatessen may have closed in 1990, Butch Yamali wanted the Dover name to live on, to commemorate his father. Butch asked his father’s permission to use the Dover name, and he agreed. Butch Said “He taught me, so I just wanted to memorialize my father,” he said. “So everything I have, I put the Dover name on it.”
Years Serving Long Island
Employees
Entities
Events Hosted Across All Brands
our story
Over the Years
1910
Dover Delicatessen
Butch Yamali, founder of the Dover Group, began his career in the restaurant industry at the age of 14 working at the Dover Delicatessen at 683 Lexington Avenue in New York City, owned and operated by his father, Abraham Yamali. Abraham was an immigrant from Greece, who believed in good old fashioned hard work. The Dover Delicatessen operated in Manhattan from 1910 through 1990, and not only served many celebrities but employed famous actor Sylvester Stallone who delivered sandwiches while attending acting school.
1976
Founded Dover Caterers
In 1976 Dover caterers was born. It was an off-premise catering service that now hosts over 200 events annually. Dover Caterers has the unique ability to cater any event, no matter the size, providing everything from rentals, food, beverages, tents, and waitstaff. Dover Caterers has successfully catered events from 50 up to 20,000 people, and caters well-known events on Long Island like the Long Island Marathon and NCAA Swim Meets.
1990
Dover Caterers
In 1990, Butch Yamali launched his franchise by purchasing a single ice cream truck and operated it under the name Carnival Ice Cream. At one point he owned and operated as many as 55 ice cream trucks in Nassau County, Long Island. The Carnival Ice Cream brand grew to become Long Island’s Largest Ice Cream distributor and the official distributor of Good Humor Ice Cream, Breyers, Ben & Jerry’s, and Sealtest products. It is estimated the Carnival Ice Cream Company has sold over a million ice cream bars.
1994
In 1994, Butch Yamali continued to grow his enterprise and sought a new business opportunity in vending and snack services, which led to the creation of Quick Snack Vending. With over 1200 machines in Long Island, serving institutions from concession stands to college campus food courts, to hospitals and recreational facilities, this franchise quickly became one of the largest quick service providers on Long Island.
2008
Raay-Nor’s Famous Chicken Revival
When it came to resurrecting famous brands, Butch Yamali and the Dover Group didn’t stop there, that same year, Butch and his team brought back the Famous Fried Chicken, Raay-Nor’s. Raay-Nor’s, was a Baldwin staple for Southern comfort food for 70-plus years before the restaurant closed in 2005. Butch and his team have revived this famous brand, so don’t miss the pop up kitchen at Malibu Shore Club at the end of the summer to get a taste of the famous chicken.
2011
The Coral House
Hudsons on the Mile
Founded Dream Events
Butch Yamali first stepped into the Coral House in Baldwin in 1970, when he was just eight years old. Almost 40 years later, in 2011 he purchased the very same historic property. Butch planned to renovate and upgrade the facility in a way to maintain the integrity and historic structure while incorporating newer technologies such as internet and electronic credit card readers. The Coral House was initially built in the 1600s serving as a gristmill, it wasn’t until the 1900s when the building became a banquet hall. Today, the Coral House hosts over 1200 parties annually, ranging from weddings to birthday celebrations to anniversaries to awards dinners and more. And, this historic location is known to host many celebrities and has even hosted the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush.
During the very same year, Butch Yamali acquired Hudsons on the Mile. Located on the scenic nautical mile in Freeport, Hudsons can accommodate guests on its beautiful outdoor bar & patio and brand new rooftop deck with views from above the mile! Hudsons on the Mile features an exciting menu of the freshest seafood, sushi and steak, and weekly specials for all to enjoy.
Also in 2011, The Dover Group formed Dream Events, a full service event planning and production company, based in Long Island, New York. Specializing in cutting edge decor, custom props, eye-catching floral arrangements and centerpieces, lighting, linen, staging, entertainment, branding and interactive activities. Dream Events has been recognized and received awards by companies such as bride and groom magazine.
2014
Founded Maple Maintenance & Construction Corporation
Specializing in new home construction and renovations, the Dover Group expanded once again into the the maintenance and construction space building immaculate homes for the Long Island community.
2014
2016
Originally built in 1676 as a two-room home for Mary Washburn Willets, a Quaker pioneer, the Milleridge Inn reigns as one the oldest continually operating food establishments in the United States. In 2016, 78-year-old Owen Smith retired from running the inn which his family, the Murphys, owned and ran for more than 50 years. In desperate need of new owners, Butch Yamali and the Dover Group set out on a quest to take over the historic Milleridge Inn. They planned to leave the historic ambiance, shops and menu the same, but the facility was in need of great renovations to its mechanical systems, bathrooms and roof. Today, the Milleridge Inn still holds the same historic charm, has a newly renovated Cottage, and is home to several quaint shops.
2017
2022
Nickerson Beach Restoration
2022 the Dover Group and Butch Yamali took on another renovation at Nickerson Beach. This multi million dollar renovation included a 9 hole golf course, cabanas, pools, and other recreational activities.
OUR BRANDS
Serving Long Island For Over 100 Years
As Long Island’s premier restaurant and events group we are committed to serving our customers, staff, and community. Visit one of our locations to create your unforgettable experience.
GIVING BACK
We’re All About Community
The Dover Group, led by founder Butch Yamali is dedicated to creating memorable experiences and events for the Long Island community, not only by reviving Long Island historic buildings, but by creating places and experiences for families to come together to create memories. The Dover Group is dedicated to giving back to the community and as a whole has donated over a million dollars to various organizations and associations since its inception. It has donated over 500 lbs of food to soup kitchens, temples, churches, and other places in need. And, the Dover Group has volunteered over 1 Million hours of service back to the community to help improve Long Island for generations to come.
Donated
Hours Volunteered
Food Donated
reviews
What people are saying
about our brands
“Terrific”
“Greatly enjoyed the all too brief return of RAAY-NOR’S Famous Chicken menu at Maliblue. Everything was terrific, just as I remembered it. .”
Kevin
“Absolutely Beautiful”
“Christmas at the Milleridge Inn is absolutely beautiful!… Definitely a place to visit, have something warm at the café or sweet at the bakery!. “
MonaLisa
“Outstanding”
“We went to The Coral House. Food and Service were outstanding. Friendly staff and beautifully decorated. Very enjoyable.”
Martin
“Professional”
Brittany