An Atlanta-based steakhouse is eyeing a spot on Wolf Road.
Sketch plans for a LongHorn Steakhouse were presented to the Colonie Planning Board on Tuesday, March 12. The 6,266-square-foot restaurant would be the first of its chain to make its way to the Capital District – the nearest franchise is in Newburgh – and it would settle in at 206-208 Wolf Road, next to the Best Western Hotel.
The board members said they were pleased with the presentation, though member Kathleen Dalton joked about the sudden interest from steakhouses on the busy road. Texas Roadhouse, a Louisville, Ky.-based chain is also looking to build a restaurant at 105 Wolf Road, not too far from the existing Outback Steakhouse at 145 Wolf Road.
A representative of the project from Bohler Engineering said adding in the restaurant would reduce curb cuts off of Wolf Road. There would be no direct access to the restaurant from Wolf Road. Instead, the restaurant would share access and parking with the Best Western. Developers also want to add in an additional 45 parking spaces within the lot.
The new chain would also provide a restaurant for hotel guests. There is currently a restaurant in the Best Western, but the Bohler Engineering representative said when the project is underway, the hotel would turn the restaurant into a breakfast area instead.
If the LongHorn Steakhouse project moves forward, it will join its sister restaurants Olive Garden and Red Lobster, also on Wolf Road. LongHorn Steakhouse has more than 370 restaurants in 35 states and has been open since 1981.
The steakhouse façade includes earth tone colors and the entrance would be through the parking lot, not facing Wolf Road.
“I don’t see any major problems myself,” Planning Board Chairman Peter Stuto said. “I think the enhancement of that property is a good thing and I think it’s a good looking restaurant.”