After more than three decades of gyros, baked clams, and weeknight family dinners, Zaro's Cafe in Huntington Station is calling it quits this weekend. The family-run Greek-Italian restaurant, a neighborhood fixture since 1993, is set to serve its final meals on Saturday, April 25. Staff shared a brief thank-you to loyal regulars and urged anyone craving one last visit to stop in before the lights go out for good. For many diners, the loss feels like another sign of how rising costs are squeezing Long Island mom-and-pop spots.
According to Zaro's Cafe's website, the restaurant opened in 1993 and built its reputation on Greek and Italian comfort dishes. The site lists the Huntington Station address on West Jericho Turnpike and spotlights longtime crowd-pleasers such as Greek salad and baked clams that helped define the menu.
As reported by WhatNow, the closure was first announced in a post to the Huntington Matters community forum that read, "Our final day will be Saturday, April 25th." The report notes that the team thanked the community for years of support and invited patrons to swing by for one last meal.
Owners Say Rising Costs Made It Unsustainable
Owners and coverage of the decision point to mounting expenses and softer foot traffic as the key reasons the business could not keep going. Local reporting republished by AOL states that the family tried promotions and special events last year to drum up revenue, but the temporary bump could not offset shrinking margins.
Community Rally Tried To Keep It Afloat
Neighbors and local officials did not just sit on the sidelines. A community rally hosted by Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin in August 2025 produced a rush of business that organizers compared to two full days of sales packed into only a few hours. The event showed how deeply Zaro's was woven into Huntington Station's social fabric and how determined residents were to keep the family-run cafe alive. According to the Suffolk County Legislature, the rally gave Zaro's a temporary lifeline but ultimately could not reverse the broader financial pressures.
Equipment Auction Is Set For April 28
The wind-down is already official enough that an equipment sale is on the books. Auction listings show a security-agreement sale of the cafe's kitchen gear scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at the Huntington Station address. The notice names the United States Small Business Administration as the secured party and itemizes ovens, mixers, a walk-in refrigerator, and other fixtures up for bid. AuctionZip posted the full sale details.
Owners Eye A New Direction
Members of the Zarou family have indicated they plan to pivot into a different type of local business once the restaurant closes, exploring ideas such as a home party rental service, according to recent coverage. That shift would move the family away from running a storefront restaurant while keeping them active in the community's small-business scene. AOL outlined the family's next steps.
Last Chance This Weekend
Regulars who grew up on Zaro's gyros and spinach pie say they will miss the personal touch that came with a truly family-owned room. One customer posted on community threads, "Thanks for being such a reliable restaurant!" and others quickly echoed the sentiment as word of the closing spread. WhatNow captured several of those reactions as the community braces for its final weekend at Zaro's.
