Carriqui – San Antonio, Texas
Address: 239 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215
Type: Restaurant
Carriqui was a South Texas–inspired restaurant at the Pearl, set inside the restored Boehler’s Liberty Saloon with grand ceilings, a custom smokehouse, and airy patios. Opened in 2022, it highlighted mesquite-grilled meats and Gulf-to-Valley flavors. Closing in 2025 after three years, it’s remembered for its beautiful space and modern South Texas cooking.
The Shack at Joe Pool Lake – Grand Prairie, Texas
Address: 5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, United States
Type: Bar, Restaurant
The Shack at Joe Pool Lake was a waterfront bar and grill with big decks, live music, and sunset views over Lynn Creek Marina. A favorite for boaters and families, it served burgers, seafood baskets, and cold drinks in a relaxed lakeside atmosphere before closing permanently.
Twin Peaks – Frisco, Texas
Address: 3475 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX 75034
Type: Sports Bar, American Restaurant, Bar
The Frisco Twin Peaks offered cold beer, wall-to-wall TVs, wings, burgers, and lodge-style décor perfect for game days. It was a go-to gathering place for watching Cowboys and college games before closing in 2024 when its lease expired.
Peli Peli – Galleria, Houston, Texas
Address: 5085 Westheimer Rd Suite B2515, Houston, TX 77056
Type: South African Restaurant, Seafood Restaurant, Steak House
Peli Peli introduced South African–inspired dishes to Houston, known for peri-peri spice blends, vibrant sauces, and its glowing tree-like centerpiece in the dining room. After more than a decade, the Galleria location closed and was later replaced by Mozambik. Diners still remember it as a unique, special-occasion favorite.
Lin’s International Buffet – San Antonio, Texas
Address: 7863 Interstate 35 Access Rd, San Antonio, TX 78224
Type: Buffet Restaurant, Chinese Restaurant
Lin’s International Buffet on the South Side was known for a wide spread of Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian, and American comfort dishes. Families came for all-you-can-eat crab legs on special nights, big dessert selections, and group celebrations. This location eventually closed as the company shifted toward newer seafood-and-sushi buffet concepts.
Black Walnut Cafe – Allen, Texas
Address: 955 W Stacy Rd, Allen, TX 75013
Type: American Restaurant, Breakfast Restaurant, Brunch Restaurant, Coffee Shop
Black Walnut Cafe in Allen was a cozy neighborhood hub offering pastries, lattes, burgers, pastas, and weekend brunch in a relaxed café-style setting. After more than a decade in North Texas, the Allen location closed in 2024, and regulars lost a dependable “third place” for casual meetups and quiet work time.
54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse – Irving, Texas
Address: 1850 Market Pl Blvd, Irving, TX 75063
Type: Restaurant, Bar & Grill
The Irving 54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse was a lively bar-and-grill with a huge American menu of nachos, wings, salads, steaks, and desserts. Its eclectic décor, crowded bar, and long draft list made it a default meet-up spot for coworkers, teams, and families. After roughly a decade in business, this location closed, leaving regulars searching for a new booth to camp out in.
Shady Grove – Austin, Texas
Address: 1624 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Type: Restaurant
Shady Grove opened in 1992 on Barton Springs Road and became an “old Austin” institution, famous for its shady pecan-tree patio, green chile cheeseburgers, and margaritas just steps from Zilker Park. Its Thursday “Unplugged at the Grove” live music series turned warm evenings into mini-festivals. The restaurant closed in May 2020 after 28 years, and locals still talk about it as one of the great lost gathering spots of the city.
Urban Eats – Houston, Texas
Address: 3414 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Type: American Restaurant, Breakfast Restaurant, Brunch Restaurant, Market, Coffee Shop
Urban Eats on Washington Avenue combined a bistro, bakery, gourmet market, and rooftop terrace into one neighborhood favorite. Guests came for brunch, desserts, sandwiches, and cocktails, plus grab-and-go items downstairs. After nine years in business, it closed in January 2024 amid post-pandemic financial strain.
Russian House – Austin, Texas
Address: 307 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78701
Type: Russian Restaurant
Russian House, later renamed simply “House,” opened in 2012 and brought Austin a full-on Eastern European experience with borscht, pelmeni, schnitzel, and an enormous list of house-infused vodkas. Soviet-era memorabilia and cozy, grandma-style rooms made it feel like a mashup of a museum and someone’s living room. The restaurant closed in 2022 as the building moved toward redevelopment.
Niwa Japanese BBQ – Dallas, Texas
Address: 2939 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226, United States
Type: Japanese Restaurant, Yakiniku Restaurant
Niwa Japanese BBQ in Deep Ellum was a yakiniku-style restaurant where guests grilled bite-sized cuts of meat and seafood over tabletop grills. Opened in 2016, it became a date-night and special-occasion favorite thanks to its sleek interior, wagyu options, and strong sake and cocktail list. After about nine years, Niwa closed at the end of June 2025, and Dallas diners still talk about it as one of the city’s best interactive dining experiences.