Houlihan’s joins long list of chain restaurants Long Islanders have lost

Houlihan’s

Houlihan’s closed its final Long Island location on Route 110 in Farmingdale on New Year’s Eve, ending the brand’s decades-long local run. While the chain continues to operate restaurants elsewhere in the country, its presence on Long Island is officially over.

Bennigan’s

Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I have lots of good memories of going to Bennigan's with my family. pic.twitter.com/DjjhNCzsgh

— Watkins (@watkins_japan) November 6, 2023

Bennigan’s was a go-to for casual dining, loaded potato skins, and late-night vibes, with multiple Long Island locations at its peak. The chain suffered major financial troubles and closed most U.S. restaurants by the late 2000s, though it appears that six still operate in the U.S., with “Bennigan’s on the Fly” virtual kitchens setting up shop across the globe. It was also the inspiration behind the fictional Shenanigans restaurant from the cult classic industry movie Waiting (2005) with Ryan Reynolds.

Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse

Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse was known for its rustic interiors, salad bars and dependable steaks, with several Long Island locations over the years. Financial struggles led to widespread closures in the 2010s, leaving only what looks like two restaurants operating outside New York, in New Jersey, though they’ve rebranded as Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grille.

Ground Round

The Ground Round was a family-friendly staple on Long Island, remembered for kids’ deals, endless popcorn and in its earliest days, peanut shells on the floor. Most locations closed by the early 2000s, though a small number of independently operated Ground Rounds remained operating. In 2024, a New England couple, Joseph and Nachi Shea, began resurrecting the Ground Round after acquiring the intellectual property rights to the brand. They opened first in Shrewsbury, Mass., last year.