After being devastated by the pandemic, the restaurant industry remains in a state of turmoil, a contradictory mix of optimistic openings and persistent closings.
Most of the closures on this list are still linked to the pandemic. It’s a tragedy that some of these Dallas restaurants managed to hold on to the horror of 2020, but couldn’t pick up the pieces.
Here is a list of restaurants that closed in Dallas in 2021:
Anju. Uptown’s Asian restaurant and bar closed, but that was to make way for a Mexican food concept called Tequila Delicious, serving street tacos, Mexican food, and margaritas.
Anvil Pub. An authentic, relaxed bar in Deep Ellum closed on October 31 after more than a decade mainly due to the pandemic, leading to unpaid rent and landlord issues.
Deadly Brewery. Pioneer Deep Ellum Brewery closed on November 28 after nearly seven years, mostly due to the pandemic, leading to unpaid rent and landlord issues.
Burger Burger. The Mexican version of a Jeff Sinelli burger restaurant closed its two remaining locations in downtown Dallas and Oak Cliff in 2021; Sinelli’s most recent concept is Birdguesa, which makes chicken fillets.
Cantina Laredo. Preston and Royal’s Mexican restaurant initially closed after being hit by the October 2019 tornado. They were renovated, then reopened in January 2020, but closed a year later.
Carlo’s bakery. TLC’s Buddy Valastro Celebrity Bakery Cake Pattern fame closed its location at Preston Center; a spokesperson said he was not doing well. A Frisco location closed in 2019.
Cosmic cafe. Dallas’ longtime vegetarian restaurant closed in October after serving unpretentious vegetarian cuisine at 2912 Oak Lawn Ave. for over 25 years.
Cultivar Coffee Roasting Co.. Roaster closed its Oak Cliff site at the end of February, due to the pandemic and rental issues; five years ago.
Del Frisco Grid. The location formerly at 3232 McKinney Ave. in Uptown Dallas closed quite unexpectedly, to be replaced by Mi Cocina, who left the West Village after nearly 20 years. The problem wasn’t Del Frisco’s Grille, which still has locations in Southlake, Plano, and Fort Worth.
Eureka. This Californian concept offering great food and craft beer’s Dallas location did not survive the pandemic and closed after nearly seven years. A Texas location remains on 6th Street in Austin.
The ginger man. The craft beer chain has shrunk significantly, with closures in Dallas and Houston, including Uptown Dallas. At one point, this chain had branches in Austin, Boston and New York, but now only has one in Las Colinas.
Godiva. The luxury chocolatier has closed its 128 physical outlets, due to the pandemic and the abandonment of retail. This included three in the DFW area, all located in shopping malls, all closed in March, including the North Park Center in Dallas, Stonebriar in Frisco, and Hulen Mall in Fort Worth.
Go Fish Poke. Poke concept closed its Plano store at 8245 Preston Rd. It had been open since 2018. The original location of the Preston Center in Dallas at 6030 Luther Ln., Which owner Tony Lin opened in 2017, is still open.
Healthy hippie cafe. Watauga’s sweet vegetarian cafe, which had been serving vegetarian and vegan options for almost five years, closed on August 23. Owners Kelli and Darrell Myatt have said they are closing due to the effects of the pandemic.
Hub street. Food Truck and outdoor park in the old town center of Plano, closed on August 25, with an ad on Facebook, after four years. The space at 1212 14th St. already has a new tenant: a new location for Twisted Root Burger Co.
Hurdy-gurdy. The restaurant at the Dallas Farmers Market anchor closed in early 2021, due to COVID-19 and a lack of activity. A new restaurant will open in the space of 900 S. Harwood St.: The Reserve, from the founders of the Taqueria Taxco chain.
Upscale Jasper. The old Abacus turned Jasper closed quietly in the middle of the summer. The website says they are closed for a renovation and are excited about the “next chapter.”
Jonathon’s Oak Cliff. The breakfast establishment closed on August 29 after suffering a rent increase. They were in this space of 1111 N. Beckley Ave. since 2011, but move to the former Kel’s Restaurant space. Jonathon’s Diner, a spin-off at 1619 N. Beckley Ave., is still open.
Kozy kitchen. The gluten-free restaurant made an unfortunate move from McKinney Avenue to Lakewood, then returned to Uptown to the former Casa Komali space on Cole Ave. before stopping it in April 2021.
Lada. A quick and casual restaurant specializing in enchiladas closed on October 10, just under a year after it opened, although the owners have a lifeline.
Lakewood Smokehouse. The beer and barbecue spot closed after five years on July 22, brought down by the pandemic.
by Luby. The besieged Texas cafeteria chain went through a liquidation that included the cessation of most restaurant operations. The company has regularly closed sites statewide, including three DFW sites: Duncanville, Dallas at 6221 East Mockingbird Ln., And Fort Worth at 1200 Bridgewood Dr.
Tortillas and Hacienda de Luna. The old-fashioned Mexican restaurant closed in October 2021 to focus on their tortilla and tamale business.
Mac’s Bar-B-Que. The former family-owned barbecue restaurant on the edge of Deep Ellum closed in July after 66 years, so owner Billy McDonald could retire; the space had been for sale for several years.
Malibu Poké. Restaurateur Jon Alexis (TJ’s Seafood) seafood concept closed its location in the McKinney & Olive building at 2355 Olive St. in June. The original on Oak Lawn is still open.
Matcha from Mecca. The matcha-themed dessert store closed its store in Plano on February 14; due to COVID-19 and other reasons, the landlords decided not to renew the lease. The location at Asia Times Square in Grand Prairie is still open.
Metropolitan Cafe. Low-key restaurant in downtown Dallas in the old Masonic Lodge / Western Union building closed on Thanksgiving Eve, after 20 years. Owner Mike Vouras said it was time to move on.
Mot Hai Ba Victory Park. The downtown location of this Asian restaurant by chef Peja Krstic has led a turbulent existence, first opening at the height of the pandemic in June 2020 after a year of delay, then closing just over a year longer. late.
Oak. One of the first restaurants to open in Dallas’ Design District closed in July. Owner Richard Ellman (El Bolero, Hawthorn) reopened it as Wits, a new steakhouse, in December.
Public school 972. This California concept’s Addison location with a cute school theme closed very quietly in November, to be replaced by TK’s, a new comedy club and restaurant that opens on New Years Eve. The 214 Public School Dallas is still open.
Ragin ‘crab. The Greenville Avenue Seafood and Crab House closed on July 1 due to a lease issue; they had been there since January 2016, taking over the rather sketchy old Kush space. The location was taken over by Meyboom, an upcoming new brewery.
Royal Blue Grocery. The Dallas grocery chain rebranded itself as Berkley’s Market and simultaneously closed its original location in Highland Park Village – a favorite spot for Park Cities hangouts and people watching – on June 27, set aside to make way for Sadelle’s.
Ruby’s Snowballs. The New Orleans-style shaved ice stand in old Dallas is closed. According to a Facebook post, they unexpectedly lost their space on Haskell Avenue, then tried to get a new location, but encountered zoning issues with the city that they couldn’t resolve.
Rush Pastry. Bakery with croissants, pies, cakes and pastries has closed its shop near the Bishop Arts district after 12 years. The closure was caused by a freak accident in early May that decimated the store.
Skinny Fat. The Las Vegas restaurant concept with healthy, decadent side-by-side menu options closed its location in the West Village after nearly three years. A spokesperson confirmed the restaurant was closed permanently, citing a decline in activity following the pandemic.
Snowbaby. The unique Shaved Snow concept in Lakewood closed on Nov. 21, after four years; owner Chrissy Kuo pursues other adventures.
Sweet Daze Dessert Bar. The Richardson store, known for its visually stunning desserts, closed its storefront on September 19. The lease was ending and founding owner Holly Nguyen decided not to renew it.
Taco dinner. After nearly 20 years in the West Village, the upscale taqueria closed on September 1. The once successful chain has also closed sites in Las Colinas and Sundance Square in Fort Worth, with only the Lake Highlands site still open.
Trinity Hall. The Irish pub Mockingbird Station closed in August. Landlord Marius Donnelly said after 20 years he decided not to renew his lease.
20 foot seafood joint. Chef Marc Cassel’s East Dallas seafood restaurant closed at the start of the pandemic, then confirmed the closure was permanent in March at the end of its lease.
TNT Tacos and Tequila. The upscale southwestern restaurant of the Quadrangle has closed after seven years, due to the fact that their location will soon be razed.
Val’s cheesecakes. A small dessert chain closed its Shack location on Maple Avenue on November 21, as well as its location in the AT&T Discovery District in downtown Dallas. The Greenville Avenue location is still open.
that of Victor Hugo. The new American bistro closed on May 30, after nearly seven years. Husband-and-wife owners Victor Hugo and Brianna Ruelas blamed the pandemic; the space has since been taken over by Beckley 1115, a wine bar that opened in October.
Savage about Harry. The Custard booth closed on July 4th. The store had moved from its original Knox Street address to a temporary location at 4527 Travis St. in 2018, but was unable to do so permanently.
Zoe kitchen. The Mediterranean chain based in Plano was acquired by the Cava group and has become a pouf; its locations in Frisco, Flower Mound, Lakewood, and Fort Worth now function as Cava locations.
