Sizzler files for bankruptcy

Friends,

It may cause many of you great distress to know that another chain steakhouse, Sizzler, filed for bankruptcy today. Sizzler is considered the first of all American steakhouse chains, having opened in California in 1958. It spread throughout the West Coast, reaching a zenith in 1992 with its pivotal role in the film White Men Can't Jump. Many people, influenced by their East Coast bias, misquote the line, "We goin' sizzlin'." It is most certainly Sizzler.



Sizzler was the first of its kind, and many imitators used its model to bring steaks to the masses. For instance, on the East Coast, Western Sizzlin' opened in 1962. Its flagship restaurant was located in Fort Payne, AL, just across from the museum dedicated to the band Alabama. It permanently closed last month, shocking steak lovers throughout that state. In the Midwest and Texas, Steak and Ale was opened in 1968. Ryan's Buffet, specializing in cheap steaks, yeast rolls, and Shoney's-like salad bars recently failed after being founded in 1977.

Perhaps the greatest of them all, though, Golden Corral, which opened in Charlotte in 1973, has taken up the mantle of the all you can eat steak house with its masterfully marinaded and grilled steaks. The shutdown has harmed its business, and we await to see how it will recover. I pray that Sizzler's demise does not portend bad things for Golden Corral.

Yours,
TulaneLSU