It’s been a tough year for the restaurant industry. In March, eateries were forced to stop dine-in service because of the coronavirus pandemic. Many transitioned to a takeout and delivery business model, but for some, it wasn’t enough. These are the restaurants that permanently closed in our neighborhood this year.
On Rotation – The brewery on Gaston Avenue closed in Lakewood in November. It will relocate to the Braniff Centre near Love Field.
Snooze – The brunch chain didn’t just close. It never even opened. Snooze announced in September 2019 that it would open in the Casa Linda Plaza in summer 2020. In November, a spokeswoman for the Casa Linda Plaza said it wouldn’t open after all.
Barbec’s – The restaurant closed indefinitely after a kitchen fire broke out in October.
Beauty Bar – After nine years, the salon-themed bar and dance club shut its doors in October.
Penne Pomodoro -The restaurant located in the Lakewood Shopping Center closed in July after 11 years in business.
Kozy Kitchen – With slow sales during the coronavirus pandemic, the only way to save the business was to close the Lakewood location in July and move to a new address with lower rent and a larger customer base, the owners said.
Tacos Mariachi – The taco joint permanently closed in June on Lower Greenville after little more than a year in business at that location. Owner Jesús Carmona said that he closed because it wasn’t profitable to offer takeout and delivery only.
Jakes Burgers & Beer – The restaurant on Henderson Avenue permanently closed because of an uncooperative landlord, a spokesperson said.
Luby’s – The location on Mockingbird Lane shut its doors in June. It was among several locations that closed while the Houston-based company searched for a buyer for all its assets and brands.
Start Restaurant – All locations, including the one on Greenville Avenue, did not reopen after closing during coronavirus lockdowns in March.
Laurel Tavern, Eastside Social, Wah Wah Room – These Lower Greenville bars closed in May.
Ross & Hall – The beer garden at 3300 Ross Ave. closed in May after opening in 2019.
Highland Park Cafeteria – The Casa Linda mainstay closed in May after 95 years in business.
The Lizard Lounge – The iconic nightclub at 2424 Swiss Ave. closed in May after 28 years in business.
The LOT – Owner John McBride closed the eatery and beer garden in April after seven years in business on Grand Avenue. “Losing a spring season makes it financially impossible to recover,” he said.
Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom – In late February, the eatery permanently closed in Mockingbird Station after more than five years in business at that location.
Burger Street – OK, this was before the pandemic started, but the drive-up burger joint closed Feb. 1 at 5657 E. Mockingbird Lane when Kroger, which owns the parking lot, raised the rent to a rate the eatery could not afford.
El Bolero – The location at 2722 N. Fitzhugh Ave. also shut its doors before the pandemic in late January.
