Holman Draft Hall closed this summer.
It’s safe to say that 2024 has been a tumultuous year for Houston restaurants. From dealing with the aftermath of the derecho in May to days and even weeks without power following Hurricane Beryl in early July, this year has been like no other.
It’s no surprise that the weather, along with other factors like lasting effects from the pandemic, has led to restaurants closing their doors. Here are some spots we’ve said goodbye to this year.
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company
sawyer yards
One of Houston’s most famous breweries was locked out of its space in January, following several legal battles and financial issues. In a social media post, William McLucas, CEO of Buffalo Bayou Brewing, said he planned to return to the Sawyer Yards location. However, the space now has new tenants, Tejas Brewery and Taproom, whose grand opening will be held from September 12 through 14.
Canary Coffee House
montrose
This neighborhood coffee shop shut its doors in late July. It was known for its yogurt parfaits, coffee options, refreshing drinks, and pastries. The shop announced its closure on social media: “We appreciate the support our small business has received from the community. If we brightened your day even a little bit during the last few years, know you’ve done the same for us. Goodbye Montrose!” According to a spokesperson for the business, the closure is partly due to pandemic-era costs.
Comalito
northside
Tucked inside the Houston Farmers Market on Airline Drive, this taqueria closed after less than a year of service. Comalito served tacos, a brunch menu on the weekends, and a variety of drinks. According to the social media post announcing the closure, this isn’t a permanent goodbye. The establishment is on the hunt for its next space.
Damian’s Cucina Italiana
midtown
This beloved Midtown restaurant officially ended its operations on August 17 after 41 years of business. According to the Houston Chronicle, this closure came after several challenges over the years, such as Hurricane Harvey, the inability to fully recover from the pandemic, and rising food costs.
Dinette
heights
This Vietnamese restaurant opened in 2022 and shut its doors on February 4 of this year. Dinette served menu items such as Vietnamese beef stew, a crispy pork belly bowl, rice paper salad, and fried rice. The restaurant announced its closure in a social media post on January 31, which said it was developing a new concept to open in the current space. And for those who aren’t aware: you can continue to support Dinette’s owners at their other establishments, Hando and Kanpai Club.
Eau Tour
rice village
This French restaurant by the owner of Local Foods served its last service on June 2. The team is revamping its space into an Italian-American trattoria called Milton’s. Menu items will include pastas made in-house and wood-fired meats, plus there will be a new wine program.
Gratify
rice village
The group behind this upscale bistro, the Big Vibe, chose not to renew Gratify’s 10-year lease. The concept first started in 2014 as Punk’s Simple Southern Food, which became Gratify in 2021. In a release, Grant Cooper, owner and cofounder of the Big Vibe, said the group is instead choosing to focus on expanding its other concepts, Flora and Coppa Osteria.
Harold’s in the Heights
heights
This fan favorite said bye after just over 10 years of service. According to Chron, owner Alli Jarrett decided it was time to close her restaurant. She noted that she is simply downsizing, as the company will shift its focus to catering. But if you’re still looking to support local businesses in the Heights, be sure to make your way over to Blue Tuba, the Euro-Tex concept that replaced Harold’s.
Holman Draft Hall might’ve shut its doors in 2024, but a new concept will soon replace it.
Holman Draft Hall
midtown
After a seven-year run, this watering hole shut its doors over the summer to make way for a new concept, Solarium. According to a release, Solarium will offer a “multifaceted experience” with full dining and drink service.
Love Buzz
montrose
After eight years of serving pizza and delicious cocktails, this Montrose restaurant decided to cease its operations. According to a social media post, the decision came after “much deliberation” and followed “extenuating circumstances.”
After just three months, Molihua shut its doors.
Molihua
medical center
After only three months of operation inside the Blossom Hotel, Molihua has shut its doors. The restaurant showcased fine-dining Japanese cuisine and dim sum, but will now undergo a reconceptualization—new details should come soon.
Muse
river oaks
This Houston restaurant did not last long. After a March 2023 opening, it officially shut its doors earlier this year. Its diverse menu included wagyu pot stickers, Hamachi, and duck fat fried rice. The space will soon be home to the Kennedy, a restaurant and piano bar.
The Canary
oak forest
Closed to the public in late July, this cocktail bar was known for its drinks, tasty bites such as hot dogs, the occasional steak night, and crawfish when in season, and for having a pool and patio. The business is “grateful for the community” and will “cherish the memories made,” according to the social media post.
Urban Eats
washington corridor
In January, this beloved restaurant took to social media to ask for help after revealing that it had been struggling due to substantial debts taken on during the pandemic, along with other factors such as cost of supplies, taxes, rent, and labor. Despite community support, after nine years, Urban Eats was ordered to vacate its property due to unpaid rent and property taxes. It held its last service on January 28.
Wild Oats
Spring branch
This restaurant from Underbelly Hospitality announced its closure in a social media post on September 5. Wild Oats originally opened in the Houston Farmers Market, but had relocated to Spring Branch in December 2023. According to the post, the decision to close stemmed from the departure of their chef along with other challenges due to the derecho, Hurricane Beryl, and “slower-than-desired growth.” The social media post also notes that the team is in discussions with “fantastic restaurant operators” who are currently interested in taking over the space.
Xin Chào
old sixth ward
This Vietnamese-American restaurant, opened by James Beard nominees Christine Ha and Tony Nguyen, shut its doors on June 8. Ha, who also owns Blind Goat and Stuffed Belly in Spring Branch, had announced in November 2023 that she was leaving Xin Chào to focus on her other two concepts. The restaurant served dishes like braised pork belly and crispy rice, shaken beef, eggrolls, and a famous fried chicken brined in lemongrass buttermilk and fried in pandan.
This article was originally published by a www.houstoniamag.com . Read the Original article here. .