Goodbye forever to Vito’s — and 21 more Seattle-area restaurant closures

The end of 2023 brought an uptick in Seattle-area restaurant closures — part of the normal course of a year in this business, as leases and/or endurance run out. This is not a sign of local restaurant industry doom — openings during this same time frame outstrip the shutdowns (and the latest tally of those, at 30, doesn’t even include the new restaurants that have debuted in Seattle proper, just the places on the Eastside, up north and down south).

We’ve already documented the surprising year-end closure of Blotto — the smash-hit Capitol Hill pizzeria ended its run after less than three years, simply because the owners wanted to move along to new things. The end of Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-In, after decades in Issaquah, with the owner retiring and selling the building, was commemorated at the end of November. And the Dec. 31 closure of JuneBaby, Edouardo Jordan’s last remaining restaurant, has also been covered — Jordan called it “a long, wild ride,” including two James Beard awards followed by a Seattle Times investigation in which multiple women accused Jordan of sexual misconduct (Jordan denied the allegations, but issued an apology). 

Now to the rest of the recent shutdowns …

Vito’s on First Hill: After water damage from a fire in the building closed down this beloved Seattle bar-and-restaurant classic in 2022, generations of fans had their fingers crossed for its return. It was not to be: Another fire on New Year’s Day sealed Vito’s fate. A huge outpouring of recollections and appreciation — from magical first dates, to the magnificence of local jazz legend Ruby Bishop on the grand piano, to the rumors of mafia hanging out (and definitely politicians, priests and police, as well as doctors and staff from across “Pill Hill”), to all the martinis and dancing and plates of pasta since 1953 — serves as final commemoration on Instagram. A toast to all the Vito’s memories, through all the years.

The Boarding House in Issaquah: The oldest business in Gilman Village — open in a former farmhouse since 1973 — has sadly, permanently closed, Cheryl Jene Kramer says, following the sudden illness and death of co-owner Mary Ann Mizokawa. Friends since high school, they’d waitressed and traveled together before running the community meeting place for 22 years, utilizing local ingredients and serving a beloved apple crisp from the recipe of the original owner. Kramer expressed “a profound gratitude” to all the customers who supported them along the way and in the end. The space will soon become home to Crumble & Flake, which closed its Seattle bakery on Capitol Hill in November.

Raíz in Ballard/Phinney Ridge: After just a couple of years, this Mexico City-inspired spot from the team formerly running El Xolo at Capitol Hill bar Nacho Borracho has shuttered, with no further information available. In much better news, the space is already home to Ginger & Scallion, the “Chicken Rice Specialist” from chefs Jakkapat (JP) Lertsirisin and Akarawin Lertsirisin of the great Secret Congee.

RoRo BBQ in Wallingford/Fremont: Fans of RoRo’s ribs and more are still mourning the loss of this spot on Stone Way, in business since 2006 but forced to close after losing the lease on the commissary prep kitchen. Silver, if not barbecue, lining: New co-owner Cayetano Mendez has reopened the space as Taco El Lago — which is already earning love via Google reviews.

Wedgwood Ale House in Wedgwood: With a heart-wrenching Facebook post last month, owner Kip Caputo announced that — despite every effort to avert it — the end was nigh for this place treasured by the neighborhood for more than three decades. An outpouring of love met the last night on Dec. 28, with family and friends donating more than $28,000, as of this writing, to a GoFundMe to help employees. And there’s hope: Caputo may be able to reopen, reformatted, after the new owner of the building carries out plans to renovate, he told KIRO. 

Wero in Ballard: After taking over the bar called The Gerald in 2018, Wes Yoo slowly transformed the menu to Korean cuisine, then changed the name to Wero, calling the to-go element of the place Bapshim. Due to unspecified “unforeseen circumstances,” Yoo closed both in late December, calling the decision a tough one. “I know that I will eventually find a way to represent my culture again through food,” he wrote on Instagram. “It has been an honor to serve you.”

Olympic Express Halal Restaurant in New Holly: After 30 years, the family that ran this spot for teriyaki and more said the decision to close at the end of December was “not made lightly,” explaining on Facebook that the business was “no longer economically sustainable.” Thanking patrons, they hinted that they’ll be back in another format: “Alhamdulillah for the friendships and memories we have made together. We look forward to your continued support in our future ventures.”

Jak’s Grill in Laurelhurst: A couple of readers asked whether this neighborhood favorite is truly gone, and — sorry for their restaurant loss — it’s true. While thanking customers “for a wonderful 20 years” on its website, the company did not respond to an inquiry about the reason(s) for the closure. The West Seattle and Issaquah locations remain open.

Showboat in Ballard: Starting out as a brewery called Bad Jimmy’s, this place became a dog-friendly, neighborhood-style pub and music/events venue. They said goodbye with a New Year’s Eve party, saying via Instagram, “We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for all the joy and moments shared with you.”

HoneyHole on Capitol Hill: This once-popular sandwich shop and bar has closed in ignominious fashion, with KIRO reporting that the owner disappeared, leaving employees and rent unpaid. Now industry pro Travis Rosenthal — whose Pike Street Hospitality Group encompasses tiki-styled Rumba and Inside Passage a few blocks away — is set to take over the space.

Julia’s in Wallingford: After 40 years, this neighborhood-and-beyond favorite brunch spot closed on Dec. 31, with the restaurant’s goodbye on Facebook reading, “please know that you’ve been more than patrons — you’ve been family.” 

Patty’s Eggnest on Crown Hill: After 25 years, the Holman Road location of this local breakfast chain known for its Swedish pancakes has shuttered. A half-dozen more Eggnests remain open, from Everett to Tukwila.

AND: Rancho Bravo on Capitol Hill, with the taqueria-in-a-former-KFC already transformed into Teto’s Cantina (and the Wallingford RB still open).

Cantina Leña in Belltown, with Tom Douglas management saying that via a process that was “not linear … it was clear to our team, that reopening Cantina Lena [post-pandemic] would take us beyond a place of balance.”

Ben and Esther’s on Capitol Hill, after a short run as the city’s only vegan deli.

Shama in Pike Place Market, serving modern Moroccan cuisine for a little under two years.

Coping Cookies on Capitol Hill, going to an online-ordering model.

Byrek & Baguette in the University District, with the location by Seattle University remaining open.

And Bourbon Steak downtown, with PR for the Michael Mina Group unable to provide further details.