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SMOKIN' AL'S CLOSES

IN BAY SHORE

You may remember Al Horowitz, owner of Smokin Al's Famous BBQ Joint, for making news last winter with a widely publicized offer to tear up credit card receipts for Super Bowl Sunday orders in the event of a Giants win. Faced with a huge response, Horowitz prematurely put a cap on the number of orders taken and, after the Giants' victory, ended up giving away about $60,000 worth of food.

Now Horowitz has closed his decade-old Bay Shore restaurant. Locals with a hankering for his slow-smoked ribs, brisket and chicken have the option of driving 12 miles to his newer Massapequa Park restaurant of the same name.

Smokin' Al's has been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since June 1, 2012. The filing allows the company to reorganize. At the time of the filing, the company's total debt, according to court documents obtained by Newsday, was about $2 million.

Horowitz said the closing of the Bay Shore location has nothing to do with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The place was too small and, at times, customers waited for more than two hours, he said.

In addition, Horowitz said he was informed by the Suffolk County sewer department that, in order to keep the Bay Shore restaurant open, he would have to redo the 60-seat eatery's entire sewage system. This, he said, was an undertaking that didn't pay for a space so small. Instead, Horowitz chose to close and begin a search for larger quarters somewhere in Suffolk County.

"In the nine months that we have been in Chapter 11, not a single thing has changed at Smokin' Al's," Horowitz said. "The quality of the food has stayed the same."

He said the company intends to emerge from bankruptcy in the spring.

Horowitz added that he expects to make deliveries from Massapequa Park to the Fire Island ferries, as usual, this summer.

Smokin' Al's Famous BBQ Joint is at 4847 Merrick Rd. in Massapequa Park, 516-799-4900.

SMITHTOWN RESTAURANT WEEK

On Long Island, it always seems to be restaurant week -- somewhere. In Smithtown, you'll find a $25 three-course price-fixed dinner at a large variety of dining spots March 3 to 10. The offer is not good on Saturday night after 7 p.m. The regular menu prevails then at all locations.

Among participating places are Aji 53 and H2O Seafood Grill in Smithtown, Five.Five2 in St. James, Perfecto Mundo Latin Fusion Bistro in Commack and Ragazzi Italian Kitchen & Bar in Nesconset.

For the entire list, as well as more information, go to smithtownchamber.org.