Bang Bang Burritos has opened its fourth location in Wantagh Plaza, taking over the storefront once occupied by Friendly Cards & Gifts at 1906 Wantagh Ave. The fast-casual Mexican chain now serves made-to-order burritos, tacos, quesadillas, rice bowls and nachos out of the space, joining a growing roster of Long Island outposts.
According to greaterlongisland.com, the chain was founded in 2019 by brothers Frank and Joseph Carbone along with Barbara Pagliarulo, getting its start in West Islip before expanding to Manhasset and Bay Shore. The Wantagh shop marks its newest stop, and the company has said it plans to add locations in Melville and Oceanside in spring 2027.
Manager Pamela Lepine told the outlet that one standout menu item, dubbed The Team, is a burrito stuffed with mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, potatoes, bacon, cheese, sour cream and Bang Bang sauce — a loaded combination that leans into the chain's indulgent, mashup-style approach to Mexican fast food. The Wantagh location's listed hours run Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m., per the same report.
Oceanside Lease Signals Next Move
As Bang Bang Burritos settles into Wantagh, it's also locking down its next expansion. Newsday reported that the chain signed a 10-year lease for an approximately 1,500-square-foot space at 2904 Long Beach Road in Oceanside, a spot previously occupied by a smoothie company. Newsday also reported that a Town of Hempstead permit search showed an open building permit for interior alterations at 1906-1928 Wantagh Avenue, naming Bang Bang Burrito and specifying a 12-seat maximum.
Fast-Casual Mexican Riding a Growth Wave
The Wantagh opening lands amid a broader surge for fast-casual Mexican concepts. Technomic executive Rich Shank told Newsday that fast-casual Mexican is one of the few cuisine types growing in today's market, a trend reflected in industry-wide numbers. Fast-casual chain sales among the Top 500 grew 9% in 2024, far outpacing the 2.3% growth seen in quick-service and the 1.3% growth in casual dining, according to a report from Restaurant Business Online. That same report noted Chipotle, Wingstop and Jersey Mike's Subs each added more than 200 units in 2024.
Long Island's fast-casual Mexican scene has been especially active this year. Qdoba, another chain in the category, had 827 stores nationwide by the end of 2025 and saw an 8% increase in total sales volume, Newsday reported. Technomic senior director of industry research Kevin Schimpf said Qdoba's sales growth in 2025 outpaced the broader fast-casual segment, though he noted the chain continues to face stiff competition from rivals like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Taco Bell.
That competitive pressure is visible close to home. Franchisees Jeff and John Froccaro, who had seven existing Qdoba restaurants on Long Island plus two in Brooklyn as of June, told Newsday they hoped to grow to roughly 20 restaurants over the next two to five years. A Qdoba was expected to open by the end of June 2026 in 2,360 square feet at 136 E. Sunrise Highway in North Lindenhurst, with Jeff Froccaro saying he planned to open another in Riverhead before the end of 2026.
For now, Bang Bang Burritos is focused on settling into its new Wantagh digs while eyeing the spring 2027 debuts planned for Melville and Oceanside. Whether the chain can keep pace with bigger national rivals expanding across the region remains to be seen, but its steady march across Long Island suggests it's betting the appetite for fast-casual Mexican fare still has room to grow.
