Friendly’s Was My Favorite. 26 Years Later I Went Back

Reliving childhood memories and eating big ice cream sundaes at Friendly’s–after a 26-year hiatus

One day, I was on the way to Long Island Railroad’s Sayville Station Long Island Railroad from a ferry terminal by shuttle bus, and spotted a Friendly’s from the bus window. Yes, that basic family restaurant. But, I was hit by a sudden wave of nostalgia.

Friendly’s was the first restaurant I visited on my first day in the United States 26 years ago.

I was seventeen, fresh from a long-flight from Japan, and was picked up by my host family in Hartford, CT. They took me to Friendly’s within a few hours of arrival.

I was extremely nervous — this was my first experience in a foreign country, so my host family tried to ease my tension with a BIG ice cream sundae, the size of which I had never seen in Japan. I remember it being delicious. I also remember our waitress was friendly. I left that day feeling stuffed and sending everything was going to be okay.

My trips to Friendly’s in Hartford were the last times I dined there. Since then, I’ve lived in a variety of cities, including my current city of New York City, but there have been no Friendly’s in sight in all those places.

So, that day I saw Friendly’s seemed like fate–the next day, August 10th, was my 26th year anniversary of landing in the United States.

I had 1 hour and 15 minutes to kill until the next train. I realized Friendly’s wasn’t far from the station, so embarked on my journey — a quick 5 minute walk from the Sayville Station.

I was ready to celebrate my 26th year anniversary in this country with a quick bite after getting off the bus at the station.  I entered the restaurant.

Some things never change.

The interior was similar to 26 years ago. Same white wall and same red chairs.

I even recognized some of the menu items.

Another thing that hadn’t changed:  the friendliness and courteousness of my waitress. Destiny was friendly (no pun intended:)), and once she realized I needed to catch a train to New York City, quickly served me with humor and a wide smile. I was again impressed; she made my 26th anniversary in the USA memorable, delicious and, once again, special.

Needless to say, she was entitled to more than a 20% gratuity from me.

Find your Friendly’s nostalgia:

Friendly’s (Sayville)
210 Montauk Hwy
Sayville, NY 11782

And a whole bunch of other locations.

Hiro was introduced to Waddle by his friend DeRM who loves these Indian-inspired tacos in NYC.