bankruptcy Company-owned Bennigan's, Steak & Ales close By LYNN COOK Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle July 29, 2008, 11:30AM Hundreds of Bennigan's and Steak & Ale restaurants across the country will not open today. Phones went unanswered this morning at several Houston locations and others had been disconnected. Plano-based MetroMedia Restaurant Group confirmed that its subsidiary, S&A Restaurant Corp., has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. All corporate locations of its well-known storefronts, including Bennigan's, Steak & Ale and Tavern, will be shuttered for good. Company spokeswoman Leah Templeton said franchised locations should not be affected, and it could not be determined immediately which of the Houston-area's 11 Bennigan's and six Steak & Ale locations will remain open. MetroMedia will continue to operate its Ponderosa and Bonanza steakhouses, the company said in a statement.
thread title should have been "stick a fork in em" anyway I liked bennigans alot, i liked the variety although quality had been declining. both of these restaurants stayed the same for too long.
I'll miss it for nostalgia's sake. Bennigan's had gone downhill over the last 10 years. When I go out for that type of food (which is pretty rare), I'd much prefer Chili's or Friday's. But it is the restaurant where I had fried cheese the first time, where chicken strips became a staple food, and where I first heard of and tried the Monte Cristo. I used to go there in college a lot and I kissed my wife for the first time in one of their parking lots. I watched Game 4 of the 1995 finals at the Kirby location and then marched up and down Richmond afterwards with all of the other drunken idiots. Good times. Same for Steak and Ale. Outback is a lot better, but Steak and Ale's salad bar was awesome. That's where I was introduced to spinach salad, and my first real memory of eating steaks. It's my mom's favorite restaurant, and we went there for every birthday, anniversarty, etc. I have a feeling that quite a few "icon" restaurants and other facilities might be shutting their doors over the next few years.
Me and my crew got kicked out of Bennigan's once. On St. Patrick's Day. Now THAT was a rowdy crowd!!!!
No! Not the Monte Cristo! Steak and Ale always reminded me of the 70's. I'm surprised they didn't shut down sooner.
A long-time friend I grew up with here in Houston is coming in to visit this weekend, and the two things we have planned are an Astros game and a retro trip to Bennigan's. Bad timing.
I agree Bennigan's sucks. Last two times I went the food was luke warm, the service was bad, and someone got sick the last time. Clearly the managing corporation has lost touch and doesn't know what they're doing anymore. All the restaurants (except Bonanza...never heard of them) listed were mainstream franchises, but now they've all declined into obscurity. The only restaurant I can find is a Bennigan's, but they're usually located nearby a Chili's and Friday's and they're parking lots have far more cars than the Bennigan's.
I had no idea there were still Steak & Ale restaurants operating. I hadn't been to one since I was a kid (actually, I guess I had been to one in 1993, but I know that one closed soon after that). Same with Bonanza. I wasn't a fan of Bennigan's and only ate there a few times, almost always when someone else suggested it or if the Chili's was too busy.
dang! My friends and I were just at Bennigan's last week for Monte Cristos! Everything was fine! I completely agree with FFB (yes, that happens every once in a while) in this thread. While Chili's, etc., have better products overall, the Monte Cristo was classic. Steak and Ale... agreed, kind of 70's like, not that I really remember the 70's. It felt older by the 80's if that's any indication. My dad reversed the syllables to call it "Ache and Stale", and it had gotten way overpriced for what it was. That one doesn't surprise me. Bennigans I thought still had life left in it. Not surprised that restaurants that cost significant $$ are closing down now, with the economy. People will choose different options. Last night, the line was very long at Taco Bell and we got dinner for two under $10. If people eat out now, that's more like what it will be.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Man, Outback doesn't even compare. I'm so po'ed right now. Steak & Ale is the best bang for you're buck restaurant EVER. You get better service, nice salad bar, nice atmosphere for around the same price as all these other crappy chains. Strong drinks as well. The only thing outback has in common with S&A is the freakin' bread and they can't even get that right. I won't miss Bennigans though, they're garbage.
This is what happens when you don't update, you allow people like Applebees to come in and kick your butt. DD
