Sunday, June 7, 2015

The Sizzler fizzles out in Forest Hills

From the Queens Chronicle:

Forest Hills residents looking for a meal at the closest Sizzler eatery now have quite a long drive ahead of them.

The chain restaurant located at 100-27 Metropolitan Ave. closed on Monday after over two decades in business, according to a Sizzler spokesman.

The franchise was just one of two left outside the western third of the country.

The only other Sizzler east of New Mexico is located approximately 1,000 miles away in Kissimmee, Fla.

Sizzler USA spokesman Brad Ritter said the restaurant was operated by an area franchisee and shut its doors over high monthly rents.

“It closed because the lease is expiring and the franchisee cannot afford higher rent and remain in business,” Ritter said in an email to the Chronicle on Tuesday. “The restaurant operated there for more than 20 years.”

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's the beginning of the end!

Anonymous said...

They even tried a breakfast and brunch menu but still could not overcome rising food, labor, and rent costs. It's too bad . The owners really tried hard.

Anonymous said...

The beginning of the end of what? Crappy beef full of cholesterol? Modern Forest Hills Jews don't want to visit their cardiologists like the old pastrami and corned beef crowd. At least old deli was scrumptious and worth future heart incidents. But the Sizzler? Give me a break.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Michael Perlman will launch a crusade to save it. Let's start an online petition.

Anonymous said...

5 story rusted terraces Con Ed meters out front all by September

maybe a wireless shop and an MRI place on first floor if we are lucky YAY!!

Rick D said...

I can imagine the rose-colored comments starting to accumulate on people's Facebook pages now, talking about how their steaks and toast "were the absolute best!"

Sorry, tried their food several times, never got more than a 4 out of 10 from me.

Anonymous said...

The place was a haven for cockroaches and poor food.

Anonymous said...

Not for nothing bu the food was lousy.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the penalty the franchisee had to pay for the nasty incident of anti LGBT bias played a role as well.Plus, truth be told, the food was pretty meh there, wasn't it?

ron s said...

In Astoria, multiple formerly well-established businesses are doing the same. The lease ends,the rent triples, and the business closes. Every month it seems another one or two in my area are closing. Ironically, the closed stores remain unrented for long periods. Not sure how anyone makes money on this.......

Anonymous said...

I remember the Sizzler on Northern Blvd in Bayside that closed about 10 years ago. That was a good place to eat, unfortunately times change and in this city they are always changing for the worse.

Anonymous said...

There is just no way a low-margin operation can exist here. The commercial rent is too damn high!

Anonymous said...

No surprise here.
Meat, steak, pasta etc has been replaced with rice, beans, noodles and all sorts of assorted 3rd world delicacy's.
You can no longer even get a good slice of fresh "mon & pop" pizza on Myrtle or Fresh Pond road ave unless you go to Glendale.
Queens and is culture have been murdered.

Anonymous said...

I vote for opening a CVS or a Bank, just because there isn't a CVS or a bank for at least a block

Anonymous said...

"In Astoria, multiple formerly well-established businesses are doing the same. The lease ends,the rent triples, and the business closes. Every month it seems another one or two in my area are closing. Ironically, the closed stores remain unrented for long periods. Not sure how anyone makes money on this......."


Something better moves in and people flock to it. The new business makes money and the general public is happy. What part do you thick headed old time Queens liberals not understand?

Anonymous said...

Maybe the thin-headed newbie Queens conservatives can answer why banks, 99 cent stores, nail salons, and drug store chains are better than what's currently there and makes the public happier than having small businesses that are actually useful?

Anonymous said...

I don't know whose these thin-headed newbies are, but I guess the answer would be that those what the market sustains. Better? Only as judged by the relationships between land owner, business person and customers. I guess their low quality speaks to the state of society. Book stores can cut it but salons can. What economic system would you prefer, soviet, North Korean or Chinese?

Anonymous said...

Can I correct my errors? I meant
Who these
Those that are
And
Bookstores can't.
Sorry readers, thanks crappy!

Anonymous said...

Sizzler in Floral Park closed more than a decade ago. Miss it.

Anonymous said...

I'm waiting for Michael Perlaman's online petition to save it.

Anonymous said...

Why would "Diner Man" be interested in a west coast franchise restaurant?

Anonymous said...

A small supermarket would be a good addition. Trader Joes blows.

A-naughty-Mouse said...

I like the supermarket idea.