[James Matthew Najera]

General Discussion Thread 11.02.2025​

Hey GrayViners!

You know, it’s funny how a simple meal can hold so many memories. Some restaurants just stick with you—not because they were fancy, but because of the people, the laughter, and the comfort that came with every visit.

Maybe it was the smell of your favorite dish as soon as you walked in, or the friendly server who always knew your “usual”. Those places become part of our story, and when they close, it feels like a little piece of the past goes with them.

So, GrayViners, here’s my question for today: What closed restaurant do you miss the most? Was it your go-to diner, a family-owned gem, or a little spot that served the best pie in town?

Image credit: Unsplash/Dayanara Peenee

As for me, I still miss the old Italian place that used to be on the corner near where I grew up.

The lasagna was unbeatable, and the owner always made you feel like part of the family. I’d give anything to sit in that booth one more time.

How about you? Share your favorite memory below! I can’t wait to take a little trip down memory lane with all of you.

Cheers!
Blue

 

[kdartpro2025]

Captain's Steak Joint. I loved their fondue.

 

[dlabelle777]

Ding Ho in MA one of the best Chinese food restaurants!

 

[Samoo]

the really old ones that we loved were called ‘The Clock’ way back in the 60’s, and 70’s…then move forward to ‘The Buggy Works’ and Bill Knapp’s…and well I guess that’s it! There are probably a couple more, however I cannot remember any more at the moment!

 

[Dee1524]

Sweet Tomatoes in Florida

 

[Arkie]

Little Black Sambo. Great family restaurant good food but later closed as the name caused a controversary

 

[RoyzToyz]

The "Flash" restaurant which was located in the downtown area and it offered the: "Big Betsy" hamburger !

 

[NIBOR0]

I cant' even remember the name of the place, just how to get there. Mom and I would go to pick up our food from this family owned business that only did take out. They used to make these bread rolls stuffed with sausage, cheese onions, mushrooms and peppers enough to feed a family of six. They only made so many of them a day and when they ran out, they ran out. We got lucky most of the time but it was such a dissapointment when we weren't. They were around for about 20 years and then they closed. Sad day.

It was in Phoenix, AZ and I had just graduated from college at Weber State University.

 

[angib55]

We had 2 steakhouses that everyone loved. Bonanza and Ponderosa. They both had a salad bar that no one could beat and everyone loved. Then the bigger steakhouses came to town and basically killed them. We had 2 of each on different sides of town. There was one in a town about 30 minutes from us that we could still go to and another about and hour from us. The closest one closed last year. Hate the long drive but we do make it to get the food offered at it.

 

[GaryBlake]

The B&K RootBeer drive up!! It was THE place to go. Only open in the spring and summer. The hottest high school girls worked there and not only did we eat there, but at night and on the weekends, it was THE place to cruise...in front, then in a circle around the back. They had absolutely the most delicious and cheap "spanish" hotdogs. My favorite was the spanish, cheese, onion. I miss that place. I have not been able to find a spanish sauce like that again. The owner, Kate, kept the recipe a well guarded secret. After she passed, her son tried to keep it going, but it wasn't the same sauce. Apparently, she took the recipe with her to Heaven!?

 

[senior71]

Bob's Big Boy. The combo and the chili spaghetti, awesome.

 

[meckpkj1976]

Arthur Treacher's love their roast beef sandwhiches.

 

[Hazeleyes]

I miss Triple Crown Diner which was in operation from 2000 to 2021, succumbed to pandemic-related business decline and is being converted into a hardware store. Prior to the diner being the Triple Crown it was the Bellerose diner which was where I went to sometimes after working late (movie theater) after hanging out with friends at the local bar we would go there or family and friends went for Holidays on occasion, or dinners.

 

[Gayle B.]

I do miss my first diner experience. That was Woolworth’s! Got to eat at the counter! Big thrill!
What I miss the most is A &W Root Beerdrive up restaurant. My husband and I went there as often as we could. Loved their chili dogs! It was mandatory to get root beer floats! We even bought 2 of their glass mugs! They came in handy for root beer floats made at home. Still have the mugs!

 

[ramm3410ctl]

The 2 restaurants I have missed the most were both local in Northern Kentucky. One was Buckskin Bev's Steakhouse which grilled their steaks over a mesquite fire. The other was called Steak and Pasta, located close to our house. Both served excellent food and our family enjoyed many fun meals with them over the years.We still miss them!

 

[BarbF]

Boy, this got me to thinking! Way, way back, when I was about 5, we went to a place called Dog n Suds. It was very similar to the old A&W Drive Inns. We didn’t get to go too often, but when we did, nothing in this world tasted as good as one of their Hot Dogs and a fat glass with a handle, filled with their Root Beer.
Thanks for giving me a chance to reminisce!

 

[Gibb]

There was a small restaurant in our area called George's. Everyone was family there. The same breakfast crowd on most days, all willing to help out when someone was in need. Then the owner died unexpectedly. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone. I really miss that.

 

[TriciaR]

Captain's Steak Joint. I loved their fondue.

Thanks for sharing that @kdartpro2025 ! Captain’s Steak Joint sounds like it had some memorable dishes — that fondue must’ve been delicious! Do you remember if you used to go there for special occasions, or was it more of a regular favorite spot?

 

[TriciaR]

Ding Ho in MA one of the best Chinese food restaurants!

Thanks for sharing that @dlabelle777 ! Ding Ho must’ve been a real local favorite — there’s nothing quite like a great Chinese restaurant you can always count on. Did you have a go-to dish you ordered every time, or did you like to try something different each visit?

 

[TriciaR]

the really old ones that we loved were called ‘The Clock’ way back in the 60’s, and 70’s…then move forward to ‘The Buggy Works’ and Bill Knapp’s…and well I guess that’s it! There are probably a couple more, however I cannot remember any more at the moment!

Thanks for sharing those wonderful memories @Samoo ! It sounds like each of those places marked a different era — The Clock, The Buggy Works, and Bill Knapp’s all sound like they had their own charm. Do you remember what made one of them stand out the most for you — maybe a favorite dish, a special occasion, or just the atmosphere?