Southwest on the South Shore

Mike Walsh started in the restaurant business over a decade ago because he needed a career change. After years of in sports merchandising, including a stint with the New York Islanders, Walsh was drawn back to his days as a college student at the University of Arizona, working different jobs trying to make it all come together.

Walsh said he attended at Franchisee fair in 2000 and was impressed by the Moe's Southwest Grill organization and the down-to-earth atmosphere and theme of honoring dead musicians.  

“I walked into [Moe’s] and they were playing the Grateful Dead and making burritos,” Walsh said. “I knew this was for me.” In June of 2004, Walsh opened his first Moe's in Greenvale.

Walsh just opened his sixth Moe’s on Long Island at 5288 Sunrise Highway in Massapequa Park. His other locations are in Greenvale, Oceanside, and .

He is also opening a Moe's in Commack the first of week of April. “I thought it was about time Moe’s came to Massapequa,” said Walsh, who added his cousin and managing partner Ryan Monahan is a Massapequa resident.

“I always knew this was a great place to be, with Ryan living here and all,” Walsh said.

Monahan added that he’s equally excited about Moe’s arrival in town. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this to come to Massapequa," Monahan said. "It’s the exact type of town we want to be in.”

Moe’s Southwest Grill is an Atlanta-based fast casual restaurant franchise featuring fresh southwest Mexican food such as Burritos and Tacos. All meals are served with free chips and salsa and the menu also features children’s, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Guests can also try the new Coca-Cola freestyle soda fountain, that features a touch screen operated machine with more than 100 different soda options.

Moe's Massapequa will be open Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The official ceremony ribon cutting will take place on
March 20.