2023 ad.
Posted on 11/17/2025 4:11:01 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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On my Army Reserve weekends we often went to Sizzler for lunch. I found that it was cheaper to order a hamburger meal with a buffet than just the buffet. Told one of my buds about it and he taught me how to be even more frugal, he ordered the burger and buffet then only ate the buffet and got a togo box for the burger.
Last time I ate there was in Kobe, Japan, circa 2001. It cost me about JPY 10,000 for my family of five ($64.57 at today’s exchange rate). We did it about once a month with a group of mostly church friends.
I recall eating at ours in Hinesville, GA (outside Ft Stewart). It was early, mid-80s and they had on the menu a Sirloin for 2. It literally hung off all edges of the plate. And darn good, juicy, tender to boot! My friend and I would each order one. He’d eat his and then finish what was left of mine.
Very found memories. Glad you worked there and likes it.
This is how ya do it. Keep burger for later, because there is plenty on Sizzler buffet to eat. Their salads were fresh and clean. I was a fan of Sweet Tomatoes but they went under in the C19 scamdemic. Sweet Tomatoes and Soup Planation had the same owners. Their chicken noodle soup had plenty of chicken it for protein.
Sizzler has a restaurant in L.A. in Atwater district. There is an offer for what they term a “small plate dinner”.
You get only one plate of salad from the salad bar. Good size plate...so lots of salad can be stacked..includes pollock based crab, tomato, cucumber onions, beans etc...no pasta or chicken, tacos, or soups in that bar. Those would be the full salad bar deal.
Get a choice of 6 oz. Steak, or malibu chicken, or shrimp, or some other meat(can’t remember). A baked potato, garlic toast , and a desert. Seniors get free beverage. Cost about 13 bucks or a bit more ( last checked few weeks ago).
Nice deal..steak isn’t great, but is OK..Way more food than enough for this two meal a day eater. Probably should only be total caloric intake for day and a half. Especially if can stack up the salad. Hope Sizzler comes back.
Yes.
2023 ad.
I’ve never heard of Sizzler.
We goin' Sizzler!
My go to “steakhouse “ was the Ponderosa restaurant.
best steak i ever had from a chain steak house was at a “Mr. Steak” ...
There’s still a Sizzler in Blythe, California, off Interstate 10 about halfway between Phoenix and LA. We had one here in Mesa until recently when it burned down. That location was once a closed Mexican restaurant and the Sizzler was open probably around two years before the fire. When I was growing up in SoCal, they were all over the place. I think there is still one in Irvine/Mission Viejo near the I-5. I always liked them, especially the salad bar and baked potato bar.
Wow, there is one less than 20 miles away from me, in Oregon. I’ll be in that town later this week, maybe I’ll try it out.
I have one in my home town.
I think I’ll visit shortly.
-PJ
The one on Orangethorpe, just west of Beach? I go by there quite often, always think I should give it a try. But then I go to Burger Town, instead.
Our smaller city in the Midwest had Golden Corral. It was a staple on Sundays after church. It’s gone now but there is one not too far away I noticed. It has a sign out front for a Friday/Sat/Sun all you can eat breakfast buffet.
We did frequent Ponderosa in the 80’s when traveling. We nicknamed it “Pondie’s”
Used to love Sizzler and Golden Corral. Haven’t see either in over 10 years. Didn’t know that any were still in business.
This is the one on Harbor just north of Brea Blvd.
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