Updated 6/2/2024
Here is a chronological list of restaurants that have closed their doors in Dallas, Texas. This page is a nostalgic look back and a resource for available restaurant space.
A closed-down restaurant can offer new opportunities for those looking to start afresh. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. Do you have fond memories of these shut-down restaurants? Please share them with us in the comments below.
Dallas, Texas – Population 1,331,420
Dallas is a major cultural and commercial hub, known for its modern skyline, rich history, diverse arts scene, and booming economy driven by technology, finance, and healthcare.
32.7767° N, 96.7970° W
Homewood
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 4002 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Closed: 2023
History: Homewood, a celebrated fine dining restaurant, closed its doors after the untimely passing of its co-owner, which led to unforeseen circumstances that the business couldn’t overcome.
Green Room
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 2715 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Closed: 2023
History: The Green Room, a rock ‘n’ roll sports bar, shut down due to gentrification in the area and a significant drop in sales. Owner Baird expressed heartbreak over the closure, stating the concept no longer fit with the neighborhood’s evolving atmosphere.
Public School 214
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 3700 McKinney Ave #148, Dallas, TX 75204
Closed: 2022
History: Also known as Public School 214, this trendy gastropub, which opened during the craft beer boom in 2015, closed after filing for bankruptcy in November 2022. It was a popular spot for its creative menu and casual vibe.
Ascension Coffee (Thanksgiving Tower)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 1601 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75201
Closed: 2020
History: Ascension Coffee, known for its upscale atmosphere and quality coffee, closed its Thanksgiving Tower location during the 2020 pandemic, though specific reasons for this closure were not publicly disclosed.
Ascension Coffee (Willow Bend)
City: Plano, Texas
Address: 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75093
Closed: 2020
History: Ascension Coffee’s Willow Bend location also closed in 2020. Despite its popularity in the area, no specific details regarding the closure were given.
Bartaco (Preston Center)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 8383 Preston Center Plaza, Dallas, TX 75225
Closed: Not specified
History: Bartaco was a trendy spot for tacos and margaritas, located in the bustling Preston Center Plaza. The reason for its closure remains unspecified, but it left a void in the neighborhood’s vibrant dining scene.
Bartaco (West Bend)
City: Fort Worth, Texas
Address: 1701 River Run, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Closed: Not specified
History: Similar to its Dallas location, Bartaco in Fort Worth attracted taco enthusiasts and casual diners. However, it eventually shut down without an official explanation for its closure.
Beauty Bar
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 2805 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Closed: 2020
History: Beauty Bar, a quirky nightlife spot in Dallas, closed due to struggles following the Covid-19 pandemic. Known for its retro beauty parlor-themed decor, it was a favorite for night owls in Deep Ellum.
Burger Street (Mockingbird Lane)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 5657 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206
Closed: 2020
History: After 26 years of serving fast food to the Dallas community, Burger Street was bulldozed to make way for new developments. This location had a loyal following for its burgers and fries.
Cafe Express (final DFW location)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 5307 E Mockingbird Ln #150, Dallas, TX 75206
Closed: 2020
History: After 25 years in the Dallas area, Cafe Express closed its final location in DFW. Known for its fresh, casual menu, the chain decided to leave the market completely, marking the end of an era for the restaurant.
Cafe Izmir
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 211 N Ervay St, Dallas, TX 75201
Closed: 2021
History: Cafe Izmir, located in downtown Dallas, was a Mediterranean-inspired eatery that opened in 2015. The restaurant closed its doors in 2021, although the exact reasons for the closure were not disclosed.
California Pizza Kitchen (Preston Center)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 8411 Preston Rd Ste 124, Dallas, TX 75225
Closed: 2020
History: California Pizza Kitchen had been in the Dallas market for over 30 years. Its closure at Preston Center marked the end of the restaurant’s presence in the city, as the chain pulled out of the Dallas area completely.
Cantina Laredo (Preston-Royal)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 6025 Royal Ln Ste 250, Dallas, TX 75230
Closed: December 20, 2019
History: This beloved location of Cantina Laredo was severely damaged by the Preston-Royal tornado in December 2019. Unable to recover from the destruction, the restaurant permanently closed.
Cantina Laredo (Fort Worth)
City: Fort Worth, Texas
Address: 530 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Closed: 2020
History: The Fort Worth location of Cantina Laredo struggled to maintain business after the Covid-19 pandemic began, leading to a slowdown in customers and ultimately the restaurant’s closure.
Chicken Scratch/The Foundry
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 2303 Pittman St, Dallas, TX 75208
Closed: 2020
History: Known for its great chicken tenders and laid-back atmosphere, Chicken Scratch and The Foundry became another casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fans loved the casual vibe and cold draft beers, but the restaurant couldn’t survive the economic downturn.
Common Table
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 2917 Fairmount St, Dallas, TX 75201
Closed: 2020
History: Common Table closed due to lease renewal issues. The building required significant repairs, and the owners couldn’t come to an agreement with the landlord, leading to the end of this well-loved neighborhood gathering spot.
Digg’s Tacos (Hillcrest Ave)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 6309 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
Closed: 2020
History: This beloved taco spot near SMU was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being a local favorite, the restaurant couldn’t recover from the economic downturn and was forced to close permanently.
Digg’s Tacos (Gaston Ave)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 7325 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75214
Closed: 2020
History: Digg’s Tacos expanded to a second location off Gaston Ave in 2015, but like its Hillcrest location, it was unable to survive the challenges brought on by the pandemic and closed its doors in 2020.
El Fenix (Oak Cliff)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 1120 E Colorado Blvd #2, Dallas, TX 75203
Closed: 2020
History: Opened in 1948, the Oak Cliff location of El Fenix was a Dallas icon. Sadly, the building was demolished in 2020 to make room for an apartment complex, marking the end of a long-standing community favorite.
El Fenix (Lemmon Avenue)
City: Dallas, Texas
Address: 5622 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209
Closed: 2020
History: After 60 years of serving classic Tex-Mex, the Lemmon Avenue location of El Fenix closed in 2020. The restaurant was a beloved institution, but after decades of operation, it was time for it to say goodbye.
FAQ: Closed Down Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth
Q: Why did Homewood close?
A: Homewood, located at 4002 Oak Lawn Ave in Dallas, closed in 2023 due to unforeseen circumstances following the co-owner’s passing. This unfortunate event left the restaurant unable to continue operations.
Q: What caused the closure of Green Room?
A: Green Room, located at 2715 Elm St in Dallas, closed in 2023 due to gentrification and a significant drop in sales. Owner Baird expressed his sadness, stating that the concept of a rock ‘n’ roll sports bar no longer fit the area.
Q: Why did Public School 214 shut down?
A: Public School 214, located at 3700 McKinney Ave #148 in Dallas, closed in late 2022 after filing for bankruptcy. The gastropub, which opened in 2015, was impacted by economic challenges and couldn’t sustain itself.
Q: What happened to Ascension Coffee (Thanksgiving Tower)?
A: Ascension Coffee, located at 1601 Elm St in Dallas, closed its Thanksgiving Tower location in 2020, though the specific reasons for this closure were not disclosed. It was known for offering high-quality coffee in a sophisticated setting.
Q: Why did Ascension Coffee (Willow Bend) close?
A: Ascension Coffee’s Willow Bend location at 6121 W. Park Blvd in Plano also closed in 2020. No specific details were provided regarding the reason for the closure.
Q: What led to the closure of Bartaco at Preston Center?
A: Bartaco, located at 8383 Preston Center Plaza in Dallas, closed for unspecified reasons. It was a popular taco and margarita spot in the heart of Preston Center.
Q: Why did Bartaco (West Bend) close?
A: Bartaco’s West Bend location at 1701 River Run in Fort Worth also closed, with no details given on why the trendy taco spot shut down.
Q: What caused Beauty Bar to close?
A: Beauty Bar, located at 2805 Main St in Dallas, closed in 2020 due to difficulties following the Covid-19 pandemic. Known for its unique beauty parlor-themed nightlife experience, it couldn’t recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.
Q: Why did Burger Street on Mockingbird Lane close?
A: Burger Street, located at 5657 E Mockingbird Ln in Dallas, was bulldozed in 2020 after 26 years in business. The closure came as part of a redevelopment project in the area.
Q: What happened to Cafe Express’ final DFW location?
A: Cafe Express closed its final location at 5307 E Mockingbird Ln #150 in Dallas in 2020 after over 25 years in the Dallas market. The chain exited the area after serving fresh, casual fare for decades.
Q: Why did Cafe Izmir close?
A: Cafe Izmir, located at 211 N Ervay St in Dallas, closed in 2021. The restaurant opened in 2015, offering Mediterranean cuisine, but the reasons for its closure remain unclear.
Q: Why did California Pizza Kitchen (Preston Center) close?
A: The California Pizza Kitchen at 8411 Preston Rd in Dallas closed in 2020, marking the end of its presence in the city after over 30 years in the market. The chain decided to leave the Dallas area entirely.
Q: What caused Cantina Laredo (Preston-Royal) to shut down?
A: Cantina Laredo at 6025 Royal Ln in Dallas closed in December 2019 due to damage from the Preston-Royal tornado. The restaurant could not recover from the extensive damage and was forced to close permanently.
Q: Why did Cantina Laredo in Fort Worth close?
A: The Fort Worth location of Cantina Laredo at 530 Throckmorton St closed in 2020 due to a slowdown in business caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which impacted its operations.
Q: Why did Chicken Scratch and The Foundry close?
A: Chicken Scratch and The Foundry, located at 2303 Pittman St in Dallas, were beloved for their tender chicken and laid-back vibe. Unfortunately, they became casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic and closed in 2020.
Q: What led to the closure of Common Table?
A: Common Table, located at 2917 Fairmount St in Dallas, closed in 2020 due to a lease renewal issue. The building needed significant repairs, and the owners were unable to come to an agreement with the landlord.
Q: Why did Digg’s Tacos (Hillcrest Ave) close?
A: Digg’s Tacos on Hillcrest Ave at 6309 Hillcrest Ave in Dallas, a favorite of the SMU community, closed in 2020. The restaurant was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and could not recover from the economic challenges.
Q: What caused the closure of Digg’s Tacos (Gaston Ave)?
A: Digg’s Tacos’ second location, at 7325 Gaston Ave in Dallas, closed in 2020 due to the same Covid-19 slowdown that forced the closure of its Hillcrest location.
Q: Why did El Fenix (Oak Cliff) close?
A: El Fenix in Oak Cliff, located at 1120 E Colorado Blvd in Dallas, opened in 1948 but was demolished in 2020 to make way for new apartment developments. It was a historic Tex-Mex spot beloved by locals for decades.
Q: What happened to El Fenix on Lemmon Avenue?
A: The El Fenix at 5622 Lemmon Ave in Dallas closed in 2020 after 60 years of operation. It was one of the city’s oldest Tex-Mex establishments, but it eventually closed as part of the changing landscape of the neighborhood.