Recent Long Island restaurant closures

Biscuits & Barbeque, Mineola

The news is bad whether you’re a barbecue buff, a Cajun connoisseur, a vintage-diner devotee or the kind of gastronaut who gravitates toward out-of-the-way eateries: On June 29, Biscuits & Barbeque in Mineola closed. Owner Joan Gallo, who rented the premises, said the building has been sold. To call this diner distinctive is to vastly undersell its appeal. Only a few blocks from both of Mineola’s main drags (Mineola Boulevard and Old Country Road), for 12 years it has been Long Island’s quintessential “hidden gem.” Situated by the LIRR tracks and surrounded by warehouses and factories, the 1947 Silk City-built railroad car-style diner seemed like the last place you’d find soulful Louisiana-style cooking along with slow-smoked meats. 

Argyle Grill & Tavern, Babylon

The Argyle Grill & Tavern, a stalwart of Babylon Village since 2000, closed on June 30. Greg Bartolotta said he is retiring and that his partner, Bill Wolfe, will be full-time at the pair’s other Babylon restaurant, Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar, across the street. The new tenant will be Dark Horse Tavern, the popular bar with locations in Rockville Centre, Farmingdale and Massapequa Park.

Bakuto, Lindenhurst

There was no place on Long Island remotely like Bakuto. It was probably the most authentic Japanese restaurant around even though it served no sushi. Its menu drew inspiration from the Japanese small-plates tradition of izakaya that centers on robata (skewered, grilled meats), noodles (ramen and udon) and steamed buns. In the manner of a true Japanese kitchen, it was also inspired by local produce. "Maybe the concept was too ‘niche,’ " said chef-partner Zachary Rude, of the restaurant's closing.

CoreLife Eatery, Farmingdale and Garden City

CoreLife Eatery, based in Syracuse, opened two locations on Long Island in 2018, the first in Farmingdale's Airport Plaza and the second in the main dining district of Garden City. Both sold their last salad, broth and grain bowls in late March, said CoreLife's president. The stores were owned by the same group of local franchisees, which will “continue to look for other opportunities in the area,” he said.

Red Lobster, Stony Brook

Seafood giant Red Lobster, which has nearly 650 restaurants nationwide, closed at least 50 of them — including 14 in New York and New Jersey. The only Long Island store shuttered in the mass closure is in Stony Brook. Long Island Red Lobster fans can still get their fix at the six restaurants still open, in Hicksville, Ronkonkoma, Deer Park, Valley Stream, Carle Place and Copiague.

Burgerology, Patchogue

Burgerology, opened in April 2020 with the goal of offering takeout and outdoor dining to pandemic-conscious customers, has closed. With the lease up for renewal, it was decided that a 200-seat venue deviated from Burgerology’s brand identity. The decision, said the company's president, is a prelude to expansion on and off Long Island.

The Rolling Spring Roll, Farmingdale

The Rolling Spring Roll in Farmingdale has served its last Vietnamese spring roll. Owner Joe Bui, who operates sister locations in Syosset and Commack, said that running three restaurants was “just too much stress.”

Friendly's, Ronkonkoma

Friendly's restaurants, once a mainstay chain on Long Island, have slowly been marching toward extinction — the Friendly's in Miller Place closed last year joining a half-dozen other shuttered locations from Levittown to Middle Island. Its Ronkonkoma location served its last ice cream sundae in March.

Stone Street Grill, Garden City

After a year as an independently owned American grill, 30 Stewart Ave. in Garden City is reverting to its former identity as a national wing joint. The soaring space had been a Hurricane Grill & Wings from 2013 to 2021 before Art Gustafson opened his ambitious Stone Street Wood Fired Grill last March. Now, he says, the building has been leased by Buffalo Wild Wings. Gustafson’s “partner in crime” at Stone Street was executive chef John Brill, who died in January.

Joanne's Gourmet Pizza, Roslyn

This iconic Long Island slice shop, which claims to have invented the Buffalo chicken pizza, has closed in Roslyn after 32 years. The restaurant was a pioneer in the creative slice movement, and was reportedly visited by celebrities such as Bella Hadid, LL Cool J and Jennifer Lopez.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Smithtown and Central Islip

Carrabba’s Italian Grill, a nationwide chain that bears a passing resemblance to the Olive Garden, shuttered its last two Long Island locations — in Smithtown and Central Islip — as of Feb. 23. “Deciding to close a restaurant is never easy,” Elizabeth Daly, the spokeswoman for Bloomin' Brands, which owns Carrabba’s, Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill, said in an emailed statement. “This was a business decision and is not a reflection of the management or staff.”

Osteria Morini, Garden City

Osteria Morini, the ambitious regional Italian trattoria opened in 2019 by Michelin-starred chef Michael White, has closed its location in Roosevelt Field in Garden City. White left the restaurant's parent company, Altamarea Group, in 2021. His former partner, current CEO Ahmass Fakahany, said that Altamarea “enjoyed being part of this community, even through the difficult period of the pandemic.” But, “in the end, in discussion with our landlord, we agreed a different concept for the location would be best served for all.”

Boston Market, Selden

This once-dominant chicken chain, founded in 1985 as Boston Chicken, has slowly been closing one location after another, not only across the Island, but also the nation. Selden’s outpost, at 966 Middle Country Rd., was Suffolk County’s last. It was replaced by Tex’s Chicken and Burgers.

Blondie's Bake Shop, Centerport

Things in Centerport are a little less sweet: Blondie’s Bake Shop, the sunny, independently owned bakery that opened in 2011, has closed. “I'm crushed,” said owner and baker Jess Riordan. “Unfortunately, the increasing costs of running a small, scratch bakery have made it impossible to continue operating while maintaining the level of quality our guests are accustomed to seeing from us.”

DJ's Clam Shack, East Northport

DJ’s Clam Shack, a pioneering lobster roll specialist, has closed in East Northport. That leaves the original location, which opened in Wantagh in 2017, as well as Huntington (operated by a franchisee) and Stony Brook, both of which opened in 2021. Owner Paul Riggio attributed the closure to a constellation of factors. “It was the lowest-performing store,” he said. “But I also lost my manager and couldn’t replace him, and I’m getting older — I decided I need to take it down a notch.”

Frank's Steaks, Jericho

Shortly after Frank’s Steaks in Jericho opened in 1988, a review by Newsday food critic Peter M. Gianotti noted that “for all in need of iron, plus zinc, protein and a dose of cholesterol, Frank's could become a hangout.” It indeed became a hangout that endured until January 2024, when the kitchen grilled its last steak. “We did everything possible to stay open,” owner Richard Gerzof said. “We just couldn’t find a way.” Gerzof, who joined the business in 1992, said COVID “struck a terrible blow that we never recovered from.” Like so many other longtime restaurateurs who have closed their establishments recently, Gerzof found that “the rising costs of ingredients, labor and rent” made recovery that much more difficult.”

Chuan Tian Xia, Westbury

This ambitious second location of a Brooklyn Chinese restaurant was in business just short of a year before it closed up shop. With its large fanciful space and enormous photographic menu, Chuan Tian Xia was a main player in the new Asian “Restaurant Row” at the Samanea New York Mall in Westbury. The unapologetically Sichuan menu catered to Chinese nationals, with fiery dishes like Wanzhou style fish hot pot, Chengdu cold noodles and green pepper fish with white bass swimming in a pickled broth of spunky green peppercorns. Although the doors are now locked and the chairs piled up inside, the original Chuan Tian Xia location in Sunset Park, Brooklyn is still open. 

Ruby's Coop, Deer Park

Ruby’s Coop got a lot of attention when it opened in Deer Park, but that didn’t translate into enough sales — the eatery closed after seven months in business. “Unfortunately we weren’t hitting the numbers that we anticipated even though we were receiving great feedback,” said managing partner Justin Aronoff. Aronoff, better known as the butcher behind Center Cuts (in Roslyn Heights and Mattituck) and the seasonal Curated Fine Meats in East Hampton.

Friendly's, Miller Place

Miller Place residents won’t have to “save room for ice cream” anymore, as their Friendly’s on Route 25A served its last Fribble. Friendly’s, founded in 1935 by the Blake Brothers in Springfield, Massachusetts, was originally a stand-alone ice cream shop with double-dipped cones costing a mere 5 cents. “A friendly place for families,” its bright-red signs became a childhood (and parental) oasis for classic sundaes and signature milkshakes. A menu of burgers and comfort food was added as the company grew. But over the past decades, a mixture of financial troubles and changing appetites has pushed one location after another out of business. In the past five years, Long Island Friendly's locations have closed in Levittown, Middle Island, Franklin Square, Syosset and Mineola.

The Olive Room Meeting Pointe, Port Washington

A year after it opened on Main Street in Port Washington, The Olive Room Meeting Pointe has closed. The owners pointed to a number of factors for the decision, including the novelty wearing off. “In a small town,” said Barry Wohl, “everyone tries the new place, then it settles down to a plateau.” He said that the first few months were very busy and the summer was “surprisingly good given that we are not near the water,” but the fall was slow.

Le Soir, Bayport

After 46 years, one of Long Island's most venerable French restaurants, Le Soir, has closed and is being transformed by new owners into a French-inspired cafe. The Bayport institution was one of the few French-owned restaurants on Long Island, known for its continental ambience and faithful renditions of classic dishes like boeuf bourguignon and duck à l'orange.

Angelica's Bakery, Levittown

This Levittown spot, known for its cannoli, has closed. “We are not 20 anymore,” said Angelica Nicoletta, who owned the business with her husband Frank. “We worked for 40 years really hard, really hard. It’s time for us to slow down.”

News Stand Deli, Melville

With so many industrial parks around Melville, the centrally located News Stand Deli at the corner of Baylis and Walt Whitman Roads was a popular coffee, breakfast, lunch spot for working locals. Known for its vast menu with ample seating and parking, it became a casualty of the post-pandemic shift to remote and hybrid work, closing its doors in late September.

Vespa Italian Chop House, Northport

Vespa Italian Chop House of Northport has served its last chop — and fried calamari and pasta con sarde. Michael LoManto, who opened the restaurant with his parents, Benedetto and Cynthia LoManto, said that the family wanted to focus on their other projects.

The Hero Joint, Patchogue and Bay Shore

John Murray III considers himself “a restaurant lifer,” so his decision to close The Hero Joint locations in Patchogue and Bay Shore was particularly difficult. “You understand that a place isn’t going to be immediately profitable, but there comes a point where you have to accept that you are just not making enough money,” he said.

Mediterranean Diner, Bellmore

Diners were already struggling with changing dining habits when the pandemic dealt many of them a fatal blow. Bellmore’s Mediterranean Diner is the latest to join a casualty list that includes, in part, the Lantern Diner in West Hempstead, Seven Seas Diner in Great Neck, Paradise Diner in Hauppauge, the Plainview Diner and Franklin Square Diner.

Brass Swan, Roslyn

A year after it opened in Roslyn, Brass Swan has closed. The swanky resto-lounge took over what had been the sports bar, Roslyn Social. “We had a good run for a year, but we had an opportunity to sell that we couldn’t pass up,” managing partner Frank Suppa said. T Bar, a buzzy eatery with locations in Manhattan and Southampton, hopes to open in the space by the end of the year.

Snaps American Bistro, Rockville Centre

Snaps, the 4-year-old American bistro across the street from Rockville Centre’s AMC movie theater, has closed. Owner Scott Bradley said he received “a very strong offer out of left field” for the space, and he sold his lease, furniture and fixtures. Customers who still need their Snaps fix have only to travel to the original Snaps in Wantagh.

Ivory Kitchen, Port Washington

This tiny Chinese restaurant on Port Washington’s Main Street closed after less than two years in business. Owner Jeff Li, a native of Yunnan province and a veteran of authentic Chinese restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn’s Chinatowns, served familiar crowd-pleasers old (fried rice) and new (soup dumplings), but his calling cards were dishes such as Yunnan beef noodle soup and smoked duck breast. Li lamented that despite the Main Street address, Ivory Kitchen never got on the town’s radar. “The day we closed,” he said, “there were people who came in who asked if we just opened.”

Peconic County Brewing, Riverhead

Riverhead may be the craft beer capital of Long Island, but the East End town has lost one of its largest breweries. Peconic County Brewing, a sprawling 300-seat brewhouse with impressive views of the nearby Peconic River, has called it quits. With its Main Street address on the ground floor of the Riverview Lofts, the spot had fallen into financial trouble and was engaged in a dispute with the landlord, Riverhead Apartments.

Honu Kitchen & Cocktails, Huntington

Honu Kitchen & Cocktails, one of Huntington Village’s longest-standing hot spots, has closed after 21 years. Anthony Geraci, one of the new owners taking over the space, confirmed the restaurant will be getting a total rebranding and said he and business partner Thomas McNicholas hope to open by the middle of September.

Steven's Pasta, Long Beach

Steven's Pasta, one of Long Beach’s longest-running restaurants, has closed. Chef-partner Steven Guasco announced he was shutting the eatery. “I’ve reached retirement age, 65,” he said. “But in restaurant years, I’m more like 110. I have loved this experience but I know there are other experiences to explore while I still have my health and I remain hungry.”

The Pie Hole, Farmingdale

Veteran Long Island chef Marc Bynum took over this now-closed slice shop in October 2022, transforming it into an ambitious pizzeria that combined classic New York pies with toppings such as the Caribbean Queen (jerk chicken, grilled pineapple, plantain and hibiscus BBQ sauce) and the Anthony Hamilton (braised short rib and collard greens). There were also ribs, fried chicken and more soul food selections. “With the rent I was paying, the business model didn’t work,” Bynum said.

PeraBell Food Bar, Patchogue

PeraBell Food Bar, one of the restaurants that spearheaded downtown Patchogue’s revival has closed. “Business hasn’t recovered 100% since COVID,” said co-owner John Peragine, “and costs have eaten up any profits we would make. We decided to sell after not coming to terms with our landlord on our 10-year option.”

Waterzooi, Port Washington

While Garden City’s Waterzooi is 25 years old and going strong, its Port Washington offspring has served its last mussel, closing after three years. According to partner Ed Davis, the owners were recently approached by another Long Island restaurant group that was interested in opening in Port Washington. “First they were just picking our brains about the town,” he said. “Then they made us an offer — an offer we couldn’t refuse — and the deal came together quickly.”