Politics & Government
LongHorn Steakhouse Coming to Lower Nazareth
Representatives for the new steakhouse have asked the Lower Nazareth Board of Supervisors to hold a hearing for the issuance of a liquor license.
The plans are in the very early stages, but a LongHorn Steakhouse is primed to be built in .
According to Timm Tenges, the township's manager, the restaurant will be built on the empty lot next to in the Lower Nazareth Commons Plaza.
Before construction begins, RARE Hospitality International Inc. -- a company that owns, operates and franchises restaurants in the United States -- has requested a hearing before the Board of Supervisors for the issuance of a liquor license, Tenges said.
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The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board controls the distribution of liquor licenses, Tenges said, and since the restaurant is not headquartered in Pennsylvania, the PLCB asks municipalities to approve or decline liquor licenses.
“It’s so municipalities have a say in liquor licenses,” Tenges said. “They [municipalities] may not want any more licenses to be given out.”
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Township solicitor Gary Asteak said he would handle advertising the public hearing, which will be held at the supervisors’ next meeting on Feb. 22.
The hearing will also give representatives the opportunity to speak about the restaurant.
According to a fact sheet on www.longhornsteakhouse.com, the restaurant provides a casual dining experience, and the menu includes items like chicken, shrimp, salmon, spare ribs, soups, salads, bread and desserts. In addition to fountain drinks, wine, liquor and beer are, of course, served.
There are 370 LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants in 35 states, the fact sheet says. Locally, there is a LongHorn in Whitehall and in Bartonsville, Monroe County.
The chain is owned by Darden Restaurants Inc. in Orlando, Fla., which owns and operates more than 1,900 restaurants -- including Red Lobster, Olive Garden, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52.
Each LongHorn is about 5,600 square feet with a dining room and bar that can seat 204 customers, according to the fact sheet. The steakhouse is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
