Once-mighty steakhouse down to 74 locations is cooking up a comeback to its 1980s heyday

UK MAIL ^ | 15 November 2025 | MARTHA WILLIAMS

[dennisw]

A beloved steakhouse that once helped define the American dining boom is mounting an unlikely comeback — decades after its glory days burned into the memories of millions.

Sizzler, the budget-friendly chain famous for its salad bar, sizzling platters and golden cheese toast, was once everywhere.

In its heyday, the brand operated more than 770 restaurants nationwide, making it one of the largest casual-dining chains in America — as recognizable as Pizza Hut, Red Lobster or Shoney’s.

Born in 1958 in Culver City, California, Sizzler was the creation of Del and Helen Johnson, who opened a simple steakhouse with one irresistible idea: offer middle-class families a taste of steakhouse luxury at fast-food prices. It worked — spectacularly.

By the 1970s and 80s, Sizzler was a weekend ritual for suburban families from coast to coast. The all-you-can-eat salad bar was a phenomenon. The cheese toast became a cult item.

And the restaurants — with their wood-paneled booths, Tiffany-style lamps and soft-serve ice cream machines — became the backdrop to countless childhood birthday parties, post-Little League dinners and Friday-night treats.

For a generation of Americans, Sizzler was eating out.But like many giants of that era, the chain crashed hard in the 1990s.

Fast expansion, shifting tastes, and competition from Applebee’s and Outback steakhouses pushed the brand into decline. Sizzler filed for bankruptcy twice, shuttering hundreds of locations.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: food; sizzler

[Rowdyone]

We have a very modern, clean one where I live but I quit going there when the salad bar hit $20.

[JohnnyP]

Didn’t know it was there.

The last one we went to was about ten years ago, on Warner near the 405. I had the rib eye dinner, and it was very good. Price then was $32.

[DAC21]

We have one 2 miles away in Ontario Calif. Always seems busy and shares the same parking lot of the Mexican Restaurant we frequent. I haven’t been to one since the 90’s which I belive was in LA Habra or Whittier. I do love a good salad bar which aren’t around as much these days in Restaurants.