Take a look: 10 of Tallahassee's heartbreaking restaurant closures
A Tallahassee drinking and dining institution ended a 50-year run. Another didn't make it a year. For a city that loves its food, the loss of a favorite restaurant can be a gut punch.
We have celebrated the capital city's best new restaurant openings of 2023, now’s the time to pay tribute to some of the local favorites that closed their doors this year – leaving a hole not only in our hearts, but our stomachs as well.
Andrew’s Downtown
The iconic corner restaurant and watering hole where Andrew's first took root as a deli shop in 1972, went dark in 2023. The restaurant had many names over the years: Brass Rail, Andrew's 2nd Act, Maxin's, Tutto Bene, Andrew's Upstairs and then Andrew's Capital Grill and Bar, Andrew's 228 and Andrew's Downtown.
The restaurant served as a rite of passage where legislators, lobbyists and journalists were welcomed to grab a bite during their busy work days, make a deal, relax and mingle.
The downtown landmark restaurant announced its closure in May, passing on the torch so it could be redeveloped into the chic bistro, Hayward House.
Crum Box Gastgarden
After nine years, two months, 14 days and 11 hours, the Crum Box Gastgarden announced the closure of their red caboose shaped restaurant on 653 Railroad Square this July. The six minute and 38 second cinematic video posted on YouTube titled “Thank you. I’m Sorry. I love you,” left many heartbroken by the news.
The sandwich shop with a sausage-centric menu left its mark in Railroad Square with the help of owner, Pete Evarts, aka Peter Meats, who shared he was “pretty tired.” Evarts’ unique approach to advertising and the business in general added character to the establishment which fans of the restaurant still miss.
Grove Market Cafe
Grove Market Cafe owned by David and Elizabeth Gwynn, the same faces of Cypress Restaurant and Vertigo Burgers & Fries, fully embraced their desire for change, giving the Market street based restaurant over to Jeri Madden of Jeri’s Love on a Plate.
The cafe formerly located on 1370 Market Street that opened in May of 2018 was prized for its high quality service, products and signature items like its grilled yard bird club sandwich and their gluten free, vegan specialties.
Hot Birdies
Hot Birdies joined in the ever growing chicken war in the city by offering its take on the gourmet chicken sandwich. The chicken joint opened their 1898 Thomasville Road location in January 2022 and closed its doors this September because they “just didn’t make it,” owner Kevin Stout said.
The former Hot Birdies location is now being transformed into Milano Pizzeria which is slated to open early 2024. As for “Hot Birdies,” there is hope that this won’t be the last time they’ll be seen, for now you can grab a buffalo chicken sandwich from Stout’s other establishment, Food Glorious Food on 1950 Thomasville Road for $12.50.
Hurricane Grill & Wings
The popular wing joint that offered 35 flavors of wings to help people “weather the storm of life” closed its doors late September. The three to four month project timeline to repair the space put an end to the hangout spot and live music venue after more than 10 years in its Northeast location.
Although the space closed its Tallahassee location, other franchise locations are still open in neighboring cities like Jacksonville or Flemming Island.
Kezzy's Bistro & Bar
Owners Keziah and Mack Gentry announced on the local restaurants Facebook page that they would be closing their Governor Square Mall location in June.
Initially being embraced by the community when they opened in October 2022, their tenure came to an end months after. It was the only dine-in, table service restaurant in the Governor Square.
The Caribbean inspired soul food restaurant offered 16 different dishes including their popular shrimp Alfredo, meatloaf, smothered pork chops, and oxtails. The soul food establishment still offers catering even as fans of the mall restaurant still hope another brick-and-mortar version opens.
Mo Betta BBQ
A landmark food truck that served their popular baked beans, rib tips and straight off the grill masterpieces abruptly announced their closure on their Facebook page. The food truck stationed in the Apalachee Parkway and Capital Circle parking lot moved to Tallahassee from Tampa after a brief visit where they catered to the city's football fans for a big game.
Owners, Billy "Mo" Hollaway and his wife, Nicole, shocked all the BBQ lovers with the news. No official statement has been released stating why the remarkable food truck closed besides their comment that their “season in this industry has passed.”
Tasty Asian
Tasty Asian located right next door to the former Hot Birdies location on 1896 Thomasville Road will also be transformed into the Milano Pizzeria storefront. The Chinese & Japanese restaurant closed abruptly late this year.
Tin Lizzy’s Cantina
Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, a popular Tex-Mex restaurant centered in CollegeTown abruptly came to an end, being replaced by Bowdens, a sports-themed restaurant honoring Florida State University legendary football coach Bobby Bowden.
The space still carries on the same Seminole spirit that was cherished before. The restaurant was prized for its game day offerings of margaritas, tacos and large flat screen TV’s to catch all the games.
World of Beer Bar and Kitchen
World of Beer Bar and Kitchen, a Tampa Bay-based bar chain formerly located at 830 E. Lafayette Street closed this June after its three year tenure. The bar harbored over 45 beers on tap, along with a wine and liquor selection, as well as its American grill favorites, such as burgers, and its famous giant pretzels.
The closure was a loss for the beer scene here in the city. The Tallahassee Beer Society even noted this closure as "heartbreaking news," hinting that the “bad juju” associated with a revolving-door of restaurants at the location may have played a role in its demise.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee Restaurants Closed in 2023
