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A staple for ribs and wings in Ronkonkoma is no more.
Smokey Bones has closed its lone Long Island location, just south of the Long Island Expressway.
The popular barbecue chain served its final customers on Tuesday. By Wednesday morning, a sign posted outside the restaurant read: “We regret that this location closed its doors as of Tuesday, April 28. We thank our loyal guests for many wonderful years.”
A manager was seen Wednesday discarding restaurant supplies inside the building.
The sudden closure caught some locals off guard. At least a handful of customers showed up for lunch while Greater Long Island was on scene.
“Wow… I can’t believe it,” said Dan, of Patchogue. “I’ve been meaning to try this place for a long time.”
Bill, a Bohemia resident who said he was a regular, added: “I was just here last week. They would’ve told me if they knew. I’m friends with the staff.”
A representative for the company confirmed the closure in an email to Greater Long Island.
“As of yesterday [April 28, 2026], all Smokey Bones locations have ceased operations,” wrote Erin Mandzik, senior director of corporate communications. “On behalf of Management, it has been a privilege to serve the Ronkonkoma community.”
Smokey Bones, whose parent company FAT Brands Inc. filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, also shut down its remaining locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Rhode Island on Tuesday, according to a report from the New York Post.
The chain dates back to 1999, when the first Smokey Bones opened in Orlando.
Smokey Bones, which was acquired by FAT Brands in 2023, had been working to streamline its footprint while focusing on more profitable locations.
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