During tumultuous times, we look for comfort. And we often find it in our go-to dishes at our longtime favorite restaurants.
But every year we say goodbye to many of those establishments. The ones we pay tribute to here had been landmarks for years, even generations. Some chefs and owners decided to retire or take a break. Others couldn’t weather the costs of doing business in this inflationary, post-pandemic era. Or ran up against redevelopment plans.
Here, in order of longevity, are 12 businesses that shut their doors after 17 years or more, plus a few revivals and relocations that we’re thrilled about. Let us know if we missed one of your favorite legacy restaurants.
KASPER’S HOT DOGS, Oakland and Concord, 96 years
The legendary Kasper’s Hot Dogs — which was nearing the century mark — shut down both of its remaining locations in mid-October, one in Concord and the other on Oakland’s MacArthur Boulevard.
Kasper’s was a well-known name among generations of locals. It served up Chicago-style hot dogs with sliced onions and fresh tomatoes — a garnish approach some people call “dragged through the garden” — on steamed poppyseed buns.
Started in 1929 in Oakland by Kasper Koojoolian, the brand went from from roughly a dozen outposts around the Bay Area in recent decades down to zero — though Caspers Hot Dogs, the chain founded by relatives of the original group, still maintains locations in Oakland, Pleasant Hill, Dublin and Hayward. (The 1930s vintage Caspers closed in 2024, but the Foothill Boulevard eatery is still in business.)
MAC’S OLD HOUSE, Antioch, 42 years
Mac’s Old House, an old-fashioned Italian restaurant known for its prime rib and minestrone soup, closed its doors over the summer after decades of serving up not just traditional dishes but also memories that have lasted a lifetime for customers.
Rick Cook, manager and head chef, said that he and owner Gary Noe were ready for retirement. “We’ve not had anyone step in (to continue running the restaurant),” Cook said. “I will definitely miss it, but at the same time, I am looking forward to missing it.”
Noe purchased the restaurant in 1983, but the building itself was first built in 1925 by Floyd “Mac” McKinney, according to the restaurant’s website. McKinney converted part of his home into a bar and opened it in 1956, running it for 17 years before retiring.
In the days after the announcement was made, patrons shared their memories of Mac’s.
Three generations of the Torrano family have been coming here for dinners and celebrations. “It’s a place (filled with) friendship and memories. It was affordable, and the drinks were good,” Sherry Torrano said. “Now it feels like the end of an era.”
RICK & ANN’S, Berkeley, 36 years
After decades of cooking Berkeley the comfort food it craves, Rick & Ann’s served its last plate of red-flannel hash — full of beets, bacon, sweet potatoes — this September.
Owner Ann Lauer posted a bittersweet farewell, saying she had “enjoyed seeing customers that I held as children, now with their families and even some now as grandparents.” And she thanked the community for allowing the Rick & Ann’s team to “experience all of your lives throughout the years.”
Ann and then-husband Rick Lauer started the business in 1989 to provide what they were missing from the restaurant scene – the food they relished from childhood. Rick & Ann’s quickly became a hit with the brunch crowd, drawing hourlong lines for its French toast, tofu scrambles and low-key Californian cuisine. The eatery’s fan base grew to include Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry and wife Ayesha Curry, as well as Guy Fieri, who featured it on his “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Lauer said she’s hanging up the towel in order to travel, pursue more community involvement and in general move on to the “next phase of my life.” But for those hungering for her breakfast-biscuit platters and buttermilk-fried chicken, she plans on keeping her side business, Ann’s Catering, open in a new location.
IGUANAS, San Jose, 32 years
It was bye-bye, Burritozilla, when this cult favorite eatery rolled its last burritos — both the regular-size ones and the famous 18-incher — and closed the doors at the vibrantly painted Victorian on South Third Street.
“After a successful 32-year-long run, the whole family has decided to pursue new passions and projects and is retiring the Iguanas brand and businesses,” the Orozco family wrote on social media.
According to Mercury News archives, that Burritozilla behemoth gets credit for launching the career of competitive eating champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. In 2004, Chestnut — then a civil engineering student at nearby San Jose State University — entered and won Iguanas’ annual Scarfing Showdown contest, taking home $500.
“I frequented this amazing establishment almost daily from 2008 to 2014 when I was in college, so it was really special to revisit after all these years — before they close permanently,” a customer named Rae L. posted on Yelp.
Another longtime fan, Laura C., wrote, “Thank you for all the delicious memories! Your food has warmed me and my friends’ bellies during our college years and into our adulthoods. … Ambience feels like a party. Service is outstanding!”
The Orozco family has now leased the building to a brand-new restaurant, Entre Comales.
WALNUT CREEK YACHT CLUB, Walnut Creek, 29 years
After nearly 30 years of service in downtown Walnut Creek, the Yacht Club sold its last bowl of famous clam chowder in May.
Owners Kevin Weinberg and Ellen McCarty felt ready for the next phase of their lives. And while they considered selling the restaurant to owners who could keep it afloat, they ultimately decided to simply close up and allow customers to preserve their memories of delicious seafood.
“We didn’t think it was really viable to keep the brand going under new management,” Weinberg said. “This business is very difficult to transfer a long-standing brand that was independently run. You end up with a comparison factor that, even though you might change nothing, people will say, ‘It’s just not the same.’”
Weinberg and McCarty are always getting asked for their recipes, and Weinberg said he’s considering writing a book to share his favorites from the restaurant.
Up next: The space on the corner of Locust and Bonanza will be resurrected by the Ghaben family, which also owns fine dining restaurant Lita and American restaurant Broderick on the same corner.
“It’s going to be the next hottest thing in Walnut Creek,” Mike Ghaben said.
As for the menu? It’ll stay a secret for now, but Ghaben offered a hint.
“I want to pay homage to the Yacht Club,” he said.
MAIN STREET BREWERY, Pleasanton, 29 years
The downtown pub and restaurant first began serving its house-brewed beer and pub fare back in 1996, but owners Sharon and Matt Billings sold their final beer in September.
The owners wrote on a goodbye Facebook post that they were ready for the next chapter of their lives.
“Serving you and your families has been one of the greatest joys,” the owners wrote on a goodbye Facebook post. “We’ve shared meals, music, laughter, and stories. Along the way, we’ve made everlasting friendships, people we will always remember, and times that we will never forget.”
Main Street Brewery was also known for its live music scene, where many local bands were able to get their first opportunities to play in front of larger audiences. Several bands commented on the goodbye post to thank the pub’s owners for supporting local musicians.
Closing the restaurant wasn’t a sign of financial distress, but rather a celebration for the Billings family.
“It’s time for the next chapter of our lives and to do the things we always talked about — take vacations, spend more time with family and even play some pickleball,” Sharon Billings told The Independent. “When you run a business you love, you are always there, and sometimes it’s hard to step away because it’s your true love.”
CHEF LI, San Jose, 28 years
This popular, orchid-decorated Chinese restaurant held court on Camden Avenue for 28 years — until this past spring, when owner Eric Diec wrote a note to customers saying he was unable to reach a new lease agreement with the property owner.
“We greatly appreciate your support in our business,” he said. “We will truly miss you all. May God bless you and your family and have a healthy and happy year.”
Devoted customers were distressed to learn of the news, posting their gratitude on social media and heading back for more Chef Li meals before the final day of business.
“Oh no!” customer Candi C. posted on the Facebook account of NBC Bay Area, which reported the news April 28. “Thanks for awesome lunch specials and delicious crispy noodles over the years! Chef Li was such a nice place to dine.”
Others posted on Reddit about graduation parties held at Chef Li and about ordering takeout for movie nights at home.
“Truly, I didn’t think I would cry about a restaurant closing,” a customer going by the handle Proud Azorius confided on Reddit. “It’s more like losing a good friend.”
BISSAP BAOBAB, San Francisco, 28 years
After a 28-year run, the West African restaurant Bissap Baobab is closing its Mission District location on Dec. 28. An Oakland location had closed previously.
Owner Marco Senghor immigrated to the United States about 35 years ago to start a legacy of his own, according to Bay Area News Group archives. The eatery and dance club has been known for its authentic Senegalese food and vibrant dance scene.
However, Senghor told the San Francisco Chronicle, “sustaining such a large space has become too difficult in these times.” So he said he will look to continue that cultural legacy in a smaller venue instead.
“The Baobab will rise again,” he said.
Meantime, the Chronicle reported, a Dec. 20 farewell party is scheduled, and Baobab pop-up parties are being held elsewhere.
21st AMENDMENT BREWERY, San Leandro and San Francisco, 25 years
A leader in the Bay Area’s craft beer movement, 21st Amendment shut down operations this year, brewing its last Brew Free! Or Die Blood Orange IPA and Hell or High Watermelon and closing its San Leandro facility and San Francisco brewpub.
Co-owners Shaun O’Sullivan and Nico Freccia founded the award-winning brewery in 2000. The business began as a brewpub, beer columnist Jay R. Brooks wrote, but later became one of the first in both California, and the country, to put all of its beer in cans. That decision presaged the craft can revolution that’s taken place over the past two decades.
Like many breweries, sales suffered considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as people began drinking less both during and after the pandemic, the owners tried to figure out how to stay ahead of the curve. They brought in a financial partner and upgraded the brewery so that they could also make energy drinks and other beverages.
But it wasn’t enough, leading to the bittersweet decision, Brooks wrote.
IZZY’S, San Carlos, 20 years
After a two-decade run, Izzy’s on the Peninsula — a San Carlos restaurant known for its steaks, chops and seafood — shut down after serving its last dinner on Oct. 4.
“We’re grateful for every memory,” the DuVall Family Restaurant Group announced on the website, inviting diners to come in to this Skyway Road location near the airport one last time for their favorites.
But there’s a silver lining for Izzy’s fans: The original San Francisco location in the Marina District, which dates back to 1987, remains open and has been newly renovated.
Diners there can order their steaks au poivre or sauced with housemade bordelaise, bearnaise or chimichurri. And “The Gomez” prime rib meal — popular at both locations — still comes with Izzy’s rich scalloped potatoes and that delicious creamed spinach.
“Our flagship restaurant in San Francisco will continue welcoming you for many years to come,” the Duvalls said.
SIENA BISTRO, San Jose, 18 years
Longtime customers packed Siena Bistro in Willow Glen for its final days and nights of service over the summer. They came for one last plate of Angry “Arrabbiata” Pasta or the decadent Roasted Duck Lasagna or perhaps a final Sole Amandine, one of the bestsellers.
And for a sentimental farewell chat with chef-owner David Wiesner.
“People live their lives differently” these days, he said, adding that younger diners in particular are frequenting casual, more affordable eateries that offer shared plates. “They don’t want comfort food from 25 years ago, which is what I do.”
Longtime customer Michele Eaton — she was here for the Dijon-Crusted Cedar Plank Salmon and husband Chris for the Braised Short Rib — estimated that 90% of the diners are repeat customers. “He seems to know everyone who walks in the door and greets them by name.”
To wit, Laurie Stapleton, a diner from Day One, called the place “the ‘Cheers’ of Willow Glen, the quintessential neighborhood comfort stop.”
OPA!, South Bay and beyond, 17 years
The 17-year-run of the Opa! Restaurant Group — which brought its Greek specialties to more than half a dozen cities in the Bay Area — came to an end in late September.
That month, the company filed to liquidate its assets in a move that triggered a shutdown of the chain’s remaining restaurants in Campbell, Morgan Hill and Santa Clara. Early in the year, Opa! closed its Willow Glen restaurant.
The Opa! group’s long run began in 2008 in that San Jose neighborhood, with a smaller restaurant on Lincoln Avenue that regularly drew crowds for its comfort menu of Greek lamb chops, skewers, flatbreads, salads, dips and appetizers.
Over the years, Opa! restaurants could also be found in Los Gatos, Los Altos and Walnut Creek.
REVIVALS AND MOVES
ARMADILLO WILLY’S: After 42 years in business, this venerable barbecue chain is down to one location, in San Mateo. But longtime customer John Vink, a Silicon Valley engineer who lunched at Willys in the South Bay for years, has relaunched the Sunnyvale and San Jose/Blossom Hill restaurants as Empire Armadillo, with barbecue and deli sandwiches.
PIZZA OLIVA: The original owners sold to a local couple this year, which changed the name to Ellie’s Pizzeria. They added an ice-cream counter and tinkered with the chicken-wings formula, but still make the pizza according to the original recipe, at 2400 Olympic Blvd. in Walnut Creek.
MONA LISA: In San Francisco, this longtime North Beach restaurant will close after 50 years, but sister restaurant Mona Lisa Mare E Monti will remain open across the street at 414 Columbus Ave.
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