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Construction is revving up at Long Island’s first Ford’s Garage location.
The popular Florida-based burger-and-brew chain is set to open inside Smith Haven Mall sometime this fall, a company spokesperson confirmed to Greater Long Island.
While no official opening date has been finalized, the spokesperson said in an email to GLI in late August that they hope “to receive additional updates soon.”
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In the meantime, here are some progress photos of the 5,100-square-foot restaurant, which will occupy the former space of Bobby’s Burger Palace.
Courtesy photos of the new Ford’s Garage location coming to 355 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove, N.Y.
About Ford’s Garage
Ford’s Garage opened its first location in 2012 — according to company lore, the spot was less than a mile from the Fort Myers, Fla. winter home of Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company. It has since expanded to more than two dozen locations, with 19 throughout Florida and plans to keep growing.
This Long Island location is co-founded by Long Island developer Steve Israel.
Israel, who shares the same name with the former Long Island congressman, is a developer and entrepreneur who grew up on Long Island. He told Long Island Business News in October 2022 that he and his son, Jake, plan to open multiple Ford’s Garage locations in Suffolk and Nassau counties in the coming years.
Franchising for the gears-and-grub concept began in 2015, with outlets now in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Texas.
“Growing up here, I know Long Island needs a solid, fun concept that I know works,” Israel said at the time.
The chain bills itself as a “go-to neighborhood burger and brew joint” that pays tribute to the history of Ford Motor Company at locations designed to take on the look of a 1920s-era service station. Employees dress in auto shop uniforms and work among classic Ford vehicles and memorabilia.
Menu items stick to the car enthusiast’s theme with burgers that include the “Model ‘A’ and “The Jiffy,” along with offerings such as “Famous Firestone Shrimp” and “Edsel’s Hot Pretzels.” There are driving-themed drinks, too, such as the “Mustang Mary,” the “Motor-Jito” and the “Backseat Driver.”
Top: Ford’s Garage serving up food. (Credit: Facebook)
