Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Bennigoing's, Bennigoing's, Bennigone

My sister was the first one to call me about this as I took a nice, long walk from my apartment to Towson University (just a 45 minute walk). The exchange went something like

"Did you know Bennigan's is closing?"

"Ohhhh..."

Okay, I haven't eaten there in a few years, but it's one of those places that just sticks in your memory. I've had pre-movie dinners, post-shopping lunches, get-togethers with friends I've lost touch with. And yet, when I hear about Bennigan's filing for bankruptcy I'm not terribly phased by it.

Apparently, Bennigan's webmaster isn't terribly phased by it either since their website still up as normal. Much more upset is Time magazine blogger Matt Selman (of Nerd World), who even wrote a poem to expess his profound sorrow. A small excerpt:


A tragic tale, an epic loss
This final Chapter, Eleven
Pray to a spicy, Buffalo cross
There's a Bennigan's in Heaven
Of course, if you want heart-attack-inducing food from a fake Irish restaurant, I'm not sure where you can find it now.

UPDATE: I just found out that Steak & Ale, where I have never eaten, is also shuttering its restaurants. Looks like they are - they were - owned by the same corporation.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good riddance.

Dan said...

According to an article I read yesterday I believe the same company owned Bennigan's, Steak & Ale, Bonanza and Ponderosa. Talk about an unholy quartet of mediocrity! I'm wondering if the guys from SOUTH PARK are cooking up an episode in which Butters finds out that Bennigan's (his favorite restaurant) is no more?

I couldn't tell you the last time I ate at one (decades ago, perhaps?) but I can share this tidbit: the Bennigan's on Route 73 in South Jersey was the first place an underage Hungover Gourmet ever got served. So I'll always have a special place in my heart and liver for it.

John said...

Leslie Ann: Not a fan, I see! Eh, I haven't been in a few years, so I guess I wasn't either. :)

Dan: Ponderosa? Wow, I haven't thought about the Ponderosa Steak House literally in decades. I wonder if there were any around this time last week? Shame about the one on Route 73 though.

Rachel said...

Everytime I have ever been to a Bennigan's (bad double date, road trips) there has been a hair in my food. And once the chicken was only breading. There was literally no meat. Can't say I will miss them.