Long John Silver’s

restaurant chain | part of encyclopedia/cuisine
Pronounced: \lông jŏn sĭl-vərz\ | IPA: /lɔŋ dʒɒn ˈsɪlvərz/

Definition of Long John Silver’s

An iconic international American cuisine fast-food restaurant chain specializing in seafood, founded in 1969 in Lexington, Kentucky, and currently headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The chain was established by Jim Patterson and emphasizes battered fish, shrimp, hushpuppies, and sides like coleslaw and fries, with a pirate-themed nautical vibe. Signature items include Fish & Chips, chicken planks, popcorn shrimp, and family platters.

Examples of Long John Silver’s in New Mexico

In New Mexico, Long John Silver’s serves its classic menu, and is especially popular during Lent. Its seafood focus has made it a go-to Lenten tradition for many church going families, with locations convenient to major churches and parishes.

Origin of Long John Silver’s in New Mexico

In 1974, the first Long John Silver’s in New Mexico opened in Albuquerque at 8001 Menaul Blvd NE on November 19, 1974 (the location is now a Flying Star Cafe). The chain expanded in the state with additional early Albuquerque locations at 5106 Central Ave SE and 4300 Central Ave SW following in 1975.

Their initial sites targeted busy commercial corridors, usually in convenient proximity to churches (the first being near St. Luke Lutheran Church, and the second near Highland Baptist Church), an example of this strategy is in post-Mass and Lenten crowds in the heavily Catholic region. The longest-running location, at 4300 Central Ave SW, remains as a testament to this early local strategy, being situated on Central in the middle of three such churches: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Holy Family Catholic Church, and San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church. The Lenten popularity of fish and chips restaurants was not unique to Long John Silver’s or New Mexico, of course. The brand regularly sees an uptick in sales from Ash Wednesday to Easter and advertises it nationally with ads like “Long John Silver’s is Making Lent Shrimply Irresistible.” The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of brands like Captain D’s and Arthur Treacher’s, though Captain D’s only remaining New Mexico location is in Farmington and Arthur Treacher’s no longer has any locations in the state. Leaving LJS as the only year-round fast-food fix for fish and chips.

The chain currently has nine locations in New Mexico. Various expansions have made its batter-dipped seafood and signature bell-ringing service a familiar part of after-church New Mexican fast-food culture. Several locations operate as co-branded with A&W, such as in Belen and Rio Rancho.

Alternate names: LJS, Long John’s.
First Known Use: 1974 (in New Mexico)

This journalistic and educational article about Long John Silver’s is not endorsed by Long John Silver’s, LLC, all images and trademarks are owned by their respective owners. On a side note, personally, I’m a fan of their chicken planks and krispies.