The Last Of The Sizzlers

And then there was one.

The became the only franchise of its brand in the entire North- and Mid-Eastern Seaboard after its sister steakhouse in

That means that if the Metropolitan Ave. restaurant closed, local residents would have to travel roughly 1,000 miles — to Orlando, Florida or Omaha, Nebraska — to "Hit the Sizz" at its nearest locations.

Times are tough, and the corporation is concentrating on revitalizing its restaurants on the West Coast with higher quality steaks and seafood, all-you-can-eat salad bars and made-from-scratch items, explained Sizzler USA Chief Executive Kerry Kramp in an email.

However, Kramp praised Forest Hills Sizzler franchisee Kevin LoNigro. "Kevin does a terrific job taking care of his guests," said Kramp. "The door remains open to Sizzler one day possibly expanding in New York."

LoNigro, who recently remodeled his eatery, said that he enjoys a top-notch reputation, which he strives to maintain. "It's the value. It's the price," he said. "I'm pretty recession-proof in some aspects."

How about recession-thriving? The joint was jumping earlier this month. Outside, the parking lot was full. Inside, there was a line of patrons waiting for tables. And a joyous, festive mood throughout the establishment, especially at the ice cream bar.

John Onolfi was eating dinner his wife. He said he comes by the restaurant a few times a month because he loves the food and thinks it's reasonably priced. He went to the Smithtown branch sometimes, but nothing compares to Forest Hills, he said. "They treat people better over here," he said.

A few tables away, sisters Toni and JoAnne Carulli were having a grand time with friend Michelle Genet. "[Toni] was dying for the salad bar," JoAnne said of her sibling. "She was saying: 'Sizzler, Sizzler, Sizzler.'"

"Where else can you go for all-you-can-eat shrimp?" Toni added. "This shrimp is delicious."

Genet, who is a big fan of the restaurant's casual atmosphere, said that her husband and 21-year-old daughter bond over trips to the Forest Hills Sizzler whenever mommy is away. They've had these dining getaways for almost 15 years.

It's a good thing the Forest Hills Sizzler is beating the economic trends and is showing no signs of closing, Genet said. "Where would my daughter go?" she asked. "She would be devastated, she really would."