102 West Main Street, Smithtown – 631-780-5320
1160 Deer Park Ave. North Babylon – 631-392-1500
Website – Order online!
It’s official—”The Dirty Cheesecake” is taking Long Island by storm, having opened a second sweet spot in Suffolk County! After the smash success of their Times Square and North Babylon locations, owner Tarek Hassanin has expanded his family-run bakery to Smithtown, bringing his irresistible treats and heartwarming story to more dessert lovers. The big question on everyone’s mind: What’s a “Dirty Cheesecake?” Well, that’s where the fun begins!
Tarek never set out to be the cheesecake king of New York, but when his daughter Layan (aka “Lili”) was just four years old, they started baking together every Sunday night. What began as a tender family ritual quickly blossomed into something much sweeter. “Layan always loved baking, and we started coming up with new recipes together,” Tarek recalls. What’s the result of all this fun? A full-fledged bakery business, of course.
Made by Lili’s Bakery in Times Square opened in 2016 to pay homage to his daughter, whose playful spirit and love for baking are at the heart of everything they do. Made by Lili’s became a hit with its scrumptious cheesecakes, cupcakes, cannolis, and cookies. The best part? They didn’t have any fancy baking degrees—just trial and error, a little help from YouTube, and a lot of heart. “We just Google it or watch YouTube and try it,” Tarek laughs. “Then we perfect it.”
Like many small businesses, the pandemic hit Made by Lili’s hard. Foot traffic dwindled and Tarek and Lili had to get creative. Enter the “Cheesecake on a Stick,” a genius invention that saved the day. Picture this: a wedge of creamy cheesecake, dipped in milk chocolate, and topped with everything from Nutella to Oreos to peanut butter. It was an instant sensation. At one point, they were cranking out up to 840 of these delicious sticks a day from their tiny 500-square-foot space. Instead of worrying, Tarek and his family leaned into the success, knowing they had something truly special on their hands. That’s when the idea to expand really started to take shape.
Tarek & Layan Hassanin
Now, “The Dirty Cheesecake” is bringing even more of their mouthwatering creations to Long Island. In addition to the famous cheesecake on a stick, their menu also includes edible cookie dough, jumbo stuffed cookies, creamy crème brûlée, mason jar cakes, and decadent layered brownie bars. But if you really want to try something that will make your taste buds dance, go for Lili’s Cheesecake—a gooey masterpiece of chocolate chip brownie, cheesecake, cookie dough, and Oreos, all drizzled in chocolate. Tarek confesses, “We can’t keep them in stock. That’s how popular they are.”
The decision to expand to North Babylon and Smithtown was deeply personal for Tarek. “I realized there was no place around town for great desserts and I wanted to change that,” Tarek explains. As a Long Island native, he wanted to offer the community a place to get high-quality treats that are both indulgent and fun. It’s also a safe place to come, hang out and grab a late-night snack within the community.
At the heart of “The Dirty Cheesecake” is, well, family. Layan, now a teenager, is Tarek’s right-hand baker, helping him out five days a week, especially in the summer and alongside her brothers. “She’s going to run this place long after I’m gone,” Tarek says proudly. It’s clear that the bakery’s success isn’t just about the delicious desserts—it’s about the love, creativity, and family teamwork that’s baked into every treat.
Looking to the future, Tarek has big dreams. “My goal is to open a new store every year. We want to keep growing, but we’ll always be rooted in our family values and community spirit,” he says.
“The Dirty Cheesecake” is more than just a bakery—it’s a sweet, family-driven success story that shows how a little creativity, some hard work, and a whole lot of love can turn a family tradition into a thriving business. Whether you’re a Long Island local or just passing through, you won’t want to miss out on these irresistible desserts.
So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to “The Dirty Cheesecake” at 102 W Main St, Smithtown, and treat yourself to a slice of this family’s sweet legacy.
20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 