The 10 most shocking closures in metro Phoenix this year included restaurants new and old

In 2023, metro Phoenix said goodbye to several longtime restaurants and bars, including a well-established Italian favorite, a beloved barbecue restaurant, bars, bakeries and a famous Hawaiian restaurant. A few newcomers also shuttered, including a particularly buzzy Southeast Asian cocktail bar.

Many were community staples and all will be missed.

Some closed so owners could retire to spend time with their families, while others teased the possibility of reopening in new locations.

Here's a look back at the 10 most surprising metro Phoenix restaurant and bar closings of 2023.

Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue

Popular Cave Creek restaurant Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue closed after 14 years, so husband-and-wife owners Bryan and Donna Dooley could enjoy greater work-life balance.

The couple announced the impending closure on Feb. 8 via Facebook: “Business is great! Actually, this year is starting off very strong. So, why are we closing? Well, Donna and I are ready for a change! Life balance! It’s as simple as that! We are still young enough to pursue other interests and we look forward (to) spending much-needed quality time together!" Bryan Dooley wrote.

Another family-owned barbecue restaurant, Cryin' Coyote BBQ, has since taken over the space.

Dos Pink

Dos Pink, a vegan taco restaurant in downtown Phoenix, announced its closure in December, less than a year after opening. The business began at the Tempe Food Court in 2022 before moving into a historic bungalow at 719 E. Roosevelt St. in February. The building previously housed Ay, Chabela, which was open for less than a month in 2022. Before that, it was Chez Gregory, a sophisticated wine bar that also lasted for less than a year in the space.

"For personal reasons, the property owner of our restaurant has put the restaurant up for sale. So, obviously that means we no longer have a restaurant at this location," Dos Pink's owners said in an Instagram post. They went on to say they plan to continue offering catering and appearing at pop-ups events. "As the property takes a new path, it’s not goodbye forever!"

El Charro Hipster Bar and Cafe

El Charro Hipster Bar and Cafe opened in 2018 on Grand Avenue where they served a daytime menu of coffee drinks and sandwiches and an evening menu of cocktails and more substantial bites, like paella. The owners announced in a July 28 Instagram post that they planned to close the restaurant at the end of August.

"We are so honored to have been in your hearts for these incredible five years. We will miss and treasure each and every regular or passerby who confided in our safe space."

Gastrome

This Scottsdale specialty market closed almost five months after its grand opening. On Jan. 31 owners Tiffany Chavez and Jenny Le announced their intent to shutter on the shop's website.

"Dear loyal customers and cheese enthusiasts, it is with great sadness that we are announcing our closing," the statement read. "With love and sadness we bid you goodbye."

The market stayed open two more weeks after the announcement before shutting its doors forever.

A new specialty market is rumored to be opening in the space in early 2024.

The Larder + The Delta

Chef and owner Stephen Jones closed his lauded downtown Phoenix restaurant in mid-October, citing an inability to "reach a deal on a new lease" as the cause of his decision to close. "I want to say thank you to so many people who have supported us along this amazing journey in downtown phoenix but first foremost I’d like to say thank you to all the staff that has ever come through these doors, I love you all so much and you have meant so much to me and my family. THANK YOU TO MY FAMILY we have had a hard last year, I LOVE YOU ALL!!" read the post.

Khla

Khla, a Southeast Asian-inspired cocktail bar that opened downtown has closed after just 19 months. The bar was known for its creative cocktails, for which it was nominated for top 10 cocktail bars in the west. Despite weathering the dramatic November 2022 departure of one of the co-owners for inappropriate behavior, the current owners said it didn't close because of that, but for financial reasons and so they could focus on their other bar concepts around Phoenix.

Roy's Pacific Rim

The last Arizona location of Roy's Pacific Rim at Desert Ridge JW Marriot closed in April after 20 years. In its place, "Top Chef" winner Angel Sosa opened his second Phoenix restaurant, Kembara, which features a pan-Asian menu.

Shady's Fine Ales and Cocktails

Longtime industry bar Shady's Fine Ales and Cocktails closed in June after 18 years when owner Brad Henrich decided to sell the bar to Barter + Shake, the group behind UnderTow, Grey Hen and Platform 18. The new owners opened Sunny's Lounge in September, where they tried to preserve as much of the bar's past as possible, while adding a few of their own touches to the space and the menu.

Teddy's Preserve

The sunny counterpart to Rough Rider in downtown Phoenix closed in December, after only 10 months.

According to co-owner Kyla Hein, it was a tough decision for their partnership. “We loved the space and our amazing team there so much,” she said in a statement to The Republic. “But it was a really rough summer and after the remodel it just never recovered financially.”

The bar’s majority owner Matt Fulton is signing on with a new team and plans to open a new concept in the space in early 2024.

Tomaso's

Iconic Phoenix Italian restaurant Tomaso's closed its doors for good on May 20 after 46 years. In April 2023, Joey Maggiore, the son of the original owner, announced plans to close his late father's flagship restaurant and open Il Massetos in its place. The new restaurant, just down the street at the corner of Camelback Road and 32nd Street, is an ode to Tomaso Maggiore and the dishes he was known for.

The new restaurant is expected to open in 2024.

Phoenix eatery closing after 18 years: What to order if you go one last time

Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Shocking 2023 metro Phoenix restaurant closings included some classics