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: sizzler

[dennisw]

Last time I ate there is was $6 for a steak and the salad buffet. It was good. The steak was not filet mignon. The salads were fresh which I all ask

[nuconvert]

I didn’t know there were any still around.

[CatOwner]

Once they removed Hibachi Chicken from their menu, we were done with Sizzler. That was a long time ago.

[vespa300]

There is nothing like the all you can eat Sizzler Salad bar. It is just the best and continues to be the best. I think it was the first too. Soup Plantation was good too. Hope they both come back.....to Texas.

[Larry Lucido]

Don't recall going to Sizzler but there used to be several Ponderosa and Bonanza Steak Houses near me. I loved the fried wings from Ponderosa, either take out or on the salad bar.

Here's something I didn't know:

In 1963, Dan Blocker, who played Eric "Hoss" Cartwright on Bonanza,[4] started the Bonanza Steakhouse chain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponderosa_and_Bonanza_Steakhouses

[Redcitizen]

There is still one in Gallup, New Mexico. The other locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico have closed many years ago.

[kiryandil]

Sizzler’s hibachi chicken is a popular menu item featuring grilled chicken breasts topped with a sweet and savory hibachi sauce and grilled pineapple. It has been a returning item to the menu, sometimes for a limited time.

Product Description
The dish typically includes two grilled chicken breasts and a pineapple topping. The sauce is a combination of BBQ and teriyaki sauce, providing a unique blend of flavors. It is often served as a single entree, a double portion, or as part of a combo meal with steak.

Nutritional Information
Nutritional information varies by portion size:
Single Portion: Approximately 166 to 180 calories, a good source of protein.
7 oz Entree: Approximately 284 calories, with 33g protein, 26g carbs, and 4.5g fat.

Double Portion: Approximately 318 calories.

Copycat Recipe
A popular copycat recipe for the Sizzler hibachi sauce suggests mixing equal parts of BBQ sauce and teriyaki sauce. The preparation involves:
1. Combining BBQ and teriyaki sauces.
2. Seasoning chicken with salt and pepper, then grilling it until cooked through.
3. Grilling pineapple slices on both sides.
4. Smothering the cooked chicken with the sauce and topping it with the grilled pineapple.
5. Serving with extra sauce on the side.

You can check the current availability of the item on the Sizzler official menu.

https://sizzler.com/menu/

[dpetty121263]

There are 4 Sizzler’s in Arkansas still and they are good eating and reasonably priced ....Used to have over a dozen of them and ate there weekly..great buffets as well.

[Tunehead54]

Our closest location to the Tampa Bay area is in Puerto Rico.

Open locations seem to be in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Utah and Colorado. I was just curious - not going east or west. ;-)

[Romans Nine]

Western Sizzler was the original name.

I believe they tried a rebrand many years ago and dropped the “Western”.

[OttawaFreeper]

I'd be happy to see this brand make a comeback. Anyone else here?

[Fiji Hill]

There’s a Sizzler in Fullerton, Calif. that’s a couple of miles from where I live. It has a separate room where groups can meet, and the local chapter of the California Republican Assembly sometimes meets there. However, the food isn’t the greatest.

[Mashood]

I wish they’d bring back Soup Exchange.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

The food went downhill at Sizzler. And if you sell steak, that will kill sales. No one wants a cheap steak.

[BBB333]

I’ve never heard of: ‘Shoney’s”

I do miss Sizzler, Bonanza and Ponderosa though...

[Bob434]

N3ver went to a sizzler- dont carw for applebees or outback. Used to go to a cheap steak house but cant remember th3 name... ponderosa maybe? Wasa long time ago.

[Bob434]

Yes! We always liked the food there. Steaks we buy at grocery atore are often tougher than pine knkte, but steaks at ponderosa were always good and eddible

[Cowgirl of Justice]

omg.

I worked at a Western Sizzlin’ all through high school and part of college. Their hamburgers were the original smash burgers and the French fries were hand cut and twice fried. ($3.50 btw) Their baked potatoes were small football sized and there was a baked potato bar where you could decorate your spud to your heart’s content. Their salad bar was sooooo fresh and clean and you could get a small sirloin, a baked potato and a salad bar for $6.99. I worked there with my friends and classmates and we are still close today!!!!! It was truly a family restaurant and I loved waiting on all of the families after church or Saturday night dates!

[Bob434]

Huh. Cool info. He died early though- always liked his character.