Closures and unanswered questions across the South
This week’s Southern Last Call highlights a mix of abrupt lockouts and quiet endings across the region, headlined by the seizure of San Antonio’s Ooh La La Korean BBQ for unpaid rent and the permanent closure of Tucson’s 30-year staple Takamatsu due to financial hardship. Unresolved questions swirl around “temporary” shutdowns at Dallas’s XOXO Dining Room and San Antonio’s La Focaccia, while confirmed exits include Seabrook’s 25-year veteran Las Anita’s and New Braunfels’ The Tavern on Castell, leaving voids in local dining and live music scenes. From Torchy’s Tacos planning a Houston contraction to the financial struggles closing Guymon, Oklahoma’s Susie Q’s, the update reflects a volatile landscape where long legacies and new ventures alike are facing sudden stops. This email was originally sent out on Feb 2nd, 2026.
Southwest Stories chronicles the fading restaurant landscape of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arizona, dedicated to documenting the closures of family-owned diners and roadside staples. Each Monday, the newsletter captures the history of these community fixtures, preserving the memories of places shaped by the region’s deep roots and long highways before they are forgotten. Read more here.
