Restaurant closings are not always just closings. Some restaurants hold years of history and multiple generations of owners and diners. When they close, the city loses key establishments and, for many, meaningful memories.
In the past three weeks, three such metro Phoenix restaurants have closed or announced plans to close, leaving fans devastated in their wake. With these closures, Phoenix will lose 151 years of history.
The family-owned restaurants include a beloved Ethiopian restaurant, a New York-style deli and one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in town. Two closed so the owners could retire, and the third due to financial difficulties.
Here's a look at the Phoenix and Tempe restaurants that closed or will close in October.
Scott's Generations
Scott's Generations,
a kosher deli opened by a New York family in 1989, is closing its doors on Oct. 25 after 37 years. Gene Snyder and his son, Scott, opened the deli in 1989 at the corner of Missouri Avenue and Seventh Street, serving sandwiches, soups, knishes, smoked fish and sweets. In 2017, two years after Gene died, Scott moved the deli to its current location at the corner of Glendale Avenue and Seventh Street. According to Scott's son, Ross, Scott decided to close the restaurant to spend more time with his family and friends.
Details: 742 E. Glendale Ave., Suite 142. 602-277-5662, scottsgenerations.com.
New Garden Chinese
This family-owned Chinese restaurant, and the last chop suey house in Phoenix, will close at the end of October after 84 years because of the owners' health issues and the toll running the restaurant was taking on their aging bodies. Mike Snitz of Realty One Group said he's looking to find new owners to "keep the tradition alive" with the restaurant at Central Avenue and Hadley Street.
Details: 823 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-9110, newgardencafe.com.
Cafe Lalibela
Beloved family-owned Ethiopian restaurant Cafe Lalibela closed quietly and quickly at the end of September after 30 years in Tempe. Cafe Lalibela was a metro Phoenix staple recognized locally, including by The Republic among its 100 essential restaurants for several years. In a letter, the owner said the business had been struggling since the pandemic.
Details: 849 W. University Dr., Tempe. 480-829-1939, cafelalibela.com.
Reach the restaurant critic at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @baharcreative on Instagram.
Looking for the best restaurants? Sign up for Dining with azcentral
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Metro Phoenix loses 151 years of history with 3 restaurant closings
