Bay Area restaurants had another difficult month this January, with both outdoor and indoor dining closed. On January 25, Governor Gavin Newsom canceled California’s home stay order. Many restaurants in the Bay Area were immediately reopened for al fresco dining.
“It’s exciting because we’ve had to cut down the hours for our people who are having problems, and they’re all weird people with color, and so on [being closed] was depressing and tough for us [and] That means lower sales, “Sean Sullivan, co-owner of Port Bar in Oakland, told SFGATE.
On the other hand, not everyone took the chance to reopen: Yuka Ioroi, owner of Cassava in San Francisco, has no plans to reopen for takeaway until February 8th. She raised concerns about the new COVID-19 variant found in California.
Others, however, haven’t had a chance to wipe their parklets and welcome guests back outdoors, like Sacramento’s 50-year-old Casa Garden or Takara, a 20-year-old restaurant in Japantown that closed this month. Here are some of the restaurants that closed permanently in January:
Casa Garden restaurant
This Sacramento restaurant, nearly 50 years old, was known for its grand banquets and charity events. For nearly five decades, Casa Garden has helped raise more than $ 3 million for the Los Niños Service League, which is part of the Sacramento Children’s Home organization. The operational difficulties caused by the pandemic resulted in the closure. Continue reading.
Godiva
In late January, chocolatier Godiva announced that it would close all North American stores, including seven locations in the Bay Area. The company said personal shopping has declined as a result of the pandemic. However, your chocolate continues to be sold online and in grocery stores as well as other retailers. Continue reading.
Ramen Underground and Udon Underground
This pair of popular Japanese restaurants in downtown San Francisco, both owned by Chef Ken Matsumara, have closed for good this month. Located next to each other on Kearny Street, the Ramen Underground and Udon Underground were known for their fast service and cozy, no-frills atmosphere. Continue reading.
Takara
Takara, a 20-year-old Japantown restaurant known for its Japanese home-style cooking, closed for good in late January. The restaurant was one of many tenants at the Japan Center who argued with their landlord over a rent dispute that played a role in the closure. 91-year-old Takara owner Lena Turner isn’t pulling out of the grocery store just yet – she recently bought nearby Kiss Seafood, where she’ll soon be bringing back some of the favorites from Takara’s menu. Continue reading.
The patron stews
The stew-oriented spin-off of the popular mission site Tacos El Patrón was not long in coming – Los Guisados Del Patrón was closed after just five months of business. In an interview with Eater, co-owner Alberto Pineda said: “We spent a lot more money being open than closed.”
Mel’s Diner (match)
The Concord location of the nostalgic “American Graffiti” restaurant chain Mel’s Diner has closed this month, according to the East Bay Times. Mel’s history goes back to 1947, although the Concord location was only in operation for a few years. Other locations in Walnut Creek, San Leandro, Antioch, Pinole, Fairfield, and Vacaville remain open.
Delicacies from Exposed
According to the San Mateo Daily Journal, this historic family-owned deli in San Mateo has closed due to pandemic losses and a rent increase. Esposto’s deli, which has been in operation since 1956, was known for its pasta, sandwiches, and catering options.
R’Noodles
This Oakland Chinatown restaurant, which specializes in Liuzhou-style escargot rice noodle soup, closed for good in January, as reported for the first time in the San Francisco Chronicle.
For permanent restaurant and bar closings in December, click here or scroll through the slideshow above to see restaurant closings for 2021.
