Supervisors Approve Liquor License for LongHorn Steakhouse

The approved the transfer of a liquor license to a proposed that is planned to be built on the empty lot next to in the Lower Nazareth Commons Plaza.

There was no public comment Wednesday during a brief hearing before supervisors voted on the liquor license request.

According to township Manager Timm Tenges, the steakhouse had to transfer a license from outside Lower Nazareth since all of the licenses in the township are in use.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board controls the distribution of liquor licenses, Tenges previously explained, 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.”

Wednesday night's approval is just one more step in making the LongHorn Steakhouse a reality.

On Feb. 28, the township's unanimously approved a , including a longhorn steer logo.

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.