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Food Fight: Popular Pizza Chain Shutters Lake Grove Location, Divides Foodies

A popular pizza restaurant that was at a Long Island mall for over 10 years has shuttered its doors suddenly, leaving customers confused (and some cheering).

Until recently, California Pizza Kitchen was located at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove. 

Until recently, California Pizza Kitchen was located at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove. 

Photo Credit: Google Maps street view

Poll
Do you enjoy the food at California Pizza Kitchen?
Final Results Voting Closed

Do you enjoy the food at California Pizza Kitchen?

  • Yes.
    46%
  • It's not for me.
    54%

The California Pizza Kitchen, formerly located at 618 Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, is no longer.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, Long Islanders began noticing the closure, with some customers receiving emails regarding it.

It is unclear why the location closed. A recorded message when calling the location’s phone number confirmed the closure, recommending interested customers visit the Walt Whitman location in Huntington Station.

In the “Long Island Food & Drink” Facebook page, the announcement of California Pizza Kitchen’s shuttering has left some distraught.

After one user posted the news, the comments began racking up – as of publication, there are over 160 messages under the original post. 

“I was just there, can’t believe it!” wrote Facebook user Gregory Fore.

“I loved that place for their salads, BBQ chicken pizza, and butter cake,” another wrote; yet another wrote that they were “DEVASTATED” to hear the news.

Others were not as saddened by the loss.

“They’re the worst!” said one foodie, with another agreeing, “It wasn’t that good anyway.”

Though there is no love lost for some, the news of the closure sparked a conversation between pizza lovers wondering what, if anything, will take its place.

California Pizza Kitchen was founded in 1985 in Beverly Hills, California. It’s credited for introducing bar-be-que chicken pizza into the zeitgeist.

It has about 155 locations in the US alone. 

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