Ford’s Garage Set to Open at Smith Haven Mall on November 2nd

Ford’s Garage, an automotive-themed restaurant chain, is opening its first Long Island location on Saturday, November 2, at Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, according to reports. The 5,100-square-foot space, previously occupied by Bobby’s Burger Palace, has been redesigned to evoke a 1920s service station and is filled with Ford Motor Company-sanctioned branding, memorabilia, and themed decor.

The restaurant’s franchise owner, Steve Israel—a Glen Cove native and co-founder of Ford’s Garage—partnered with his son Jake to introduce the chain to Long Island. The team plans to open additional Ford’s Garage restaurants in Nassau and Suffolk counties in the coming years.

Ford’s Garage, which began franchising in 2015, now has 28 locations in Florida, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan. It was first established in 2012 in Fort Myers, Florida, when Israel partnered with industry veterans Daniel Kearns and Mike McGuigan to launch a restaurant that combines automotive nostalgia with a classic American menu.

Known for its burgers, beer selection, and comfort food, the restaurant’s offerings include branded burger buns, homemade meatloaf, chicken wings, macaroni and cheese, and salads, with more than 100 beers available, including 40 local brews on draft. Additional themed details include gas pump handle faucets and tire sinks in the bathrooms, while a Model T car is suspended above the center bar.

Located at 355 Smith Haven Mall, the new restaurant will employ approximately 115 people and offer seasonal outdoor dining from April through September on a covered patio.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek inside the new restaurant coming soon!