Boston Market closes last Long Island outposts
Boston Market in Bethpage. Credit: Marie Elena Martinez
Boston Market has left the Island. The 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.
While the company has blamed the downturn for declining sales, lawsuits tell a different story, with suits in New York and Arizona for unpaid wages. The rotisserie chain is also being sued by food supplier US Foods for $11.3 million in unpaid bills.
A quick Google search shows only the Bethpage location as operational on the Island, in Nassau — however, calls to that location prompt a disconnected signal. A visit Tuesday found an abandoned location. Boston Market images were still visible in the windows, as well as a handwritten open sign, yet no one was inside and construction vehicles were scattered the parking lot. Calls to Boston Market's corporate office were unreturned.
Though Boston Market will no longer be slinging quarter chickens with mashed potatoes and gravy, side of corn on the Island, all is not lost.
Tex’s Chicken and Burgers, a recently rebranded halal-certified chain, serves an assortment of burgers, chicken sandwiches, fried chicken by the piece, as well as tenders. The Bronx-born chain is quickly growing with more than 40 locations across New York and Pennsylvania. The Selden opening of Tex’s is the third on the Island, joining already established locations in Hicksville and Centereach, and boasting late-night hours until 4 a.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m. on weekends.
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
