Long Island’s first Qdoba opens in East Meadow

East Meadow welcomed Long Island’s first Qdoba at a ribbon cutting with the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce on March 16.

John and Jeff Froccaro, the owners of 37 Burger King locations and two Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille restaurants, opened the Mexican restaurant on Hempstead Turnpike, across from Nassau University Medical Center.

The restaurant officially opened on March 8 and quickly started gaining attention. The fast food chain has numerous locations in Queens, Brooklyn and throughout New England, but its first Long Island location has been long anticipated.

Retired NCPD officer John Nikiel, 63, and Yvonne Amato, both of East Meadow, are co-chairs of the East Meadow Neighborhood Committee, which worked with developers and the Froccaro brothers to bring the restaurant to East Meadow.

East Meadow Chamber of Commerce President Frank Camarano previously called the community a “volcano of business,” citing last year’s grand openings of Arby’s fast food restaurant and Stew Leonard’s grocery store. In addition to Qdoba, this year will also bring the opening of a Starbucks adjacent the Mexican restaurant.