CA Eateries That Closed Permanently In 2024

CALIFORNIA — In yet another year marred by inflation and varied financial struggles described by business owners, Californians saw dozens of their neighborhood eateries close for good in 2024.

While inflation has remained an obstacle for Golden State residents struggling to afford everything from gas to groceries, business owners claim they are struggling amid strict state regulations and higher wage mandates for workers in some dining sectors.

In November, inflation ticked up slightly in the U.S., and over 2024, the cost of dining out rose by 3.6 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index.

Over the summer, the Mexican seafood chain Rubio's closed nearly 50 locations in California, citing "the rising cost of doing business in California." Similar complaints have been echoed by restaurant operators who closed their doors or reduced workers' hours in California after the state's minimum wage for fast food workers rose from $16 to $20 an hour in April.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, who backed the law that made the new minimum wage possible, disagrees with this sentiment, stating that quick-service restaurants have added thousands of jobs every month in the state.

"What’s good for workers is good for business, and as California’s fast food industry continues booming every single month, our workers are finally getting the pay they deserve," the governor said in a statement in August. "Despite those who pedaled lies about how this would doom the industry, California’s economy and workers are again proving them wrong."

Whether the economy or higher wages for some restaurant workers was to blame, 2024 saw an astonishing amount of restaurant closures. Below, you'll find a variety of local and chain eateries that shuttered.

Did I leave out a favorite now-closed restaurant that should be remembered? I'd love to hear from you. Please email me: Kat.Schuster@Patch.com.

Arby's Hollywood

One of the most iconic restaurants on Hollywood's famed Sunset Boulevard closed over the summer. Its towering cowboy hat sign has beckoned customers for 55 years. Since opening in 1969, the franchised roast beef shop has had but one owner, Marylin Leviton. At 91, she said goodbye to the landmark, citing financial struggles.

"I'm awfully sorry that it came to this. I think we did a good job for 55 years," she said, according to KTLA.

Hart House

Hart House, comedian Kevin Hart's vegan fast-food restaurant, suddenly closed its four locations in September. The four Southern California restaurants were closed just two years after the first Hart House opened near LAX.

The chain's concept was to sell plant-based chicken sandwiches, nuggets and burgers for under $8 and combo meals for under $15. The meat alternatives were developed in house, instead of using widely available products like Beyond, Eater reported.

Barone's Restaurant, Pleasanton

A beloved community cornerstone in Pleasanton shut down in October after nearly 30 years in business. Barone’s Restaurant offered upscale Italian cuisine, as well as numerous community events, at the corner of Main and St. John Street since 1995.

“When we first opened our doors all those years ago, we couldn’t have imagined the incredible journey Barone’s would take us on,” owners Joe and Maricela Barone wrote on their social media pages. “Barone’s has been more than just a restaurant - it has been the place where we raised our family and where friends became family."

Café Bastille, San Francisco

This eatery, once described by SF Gate as "a trash-laden alley-turned-popular dining destination," closed in October. The beloved Bastille shuttered after serving guests for decades at its outdoor Parisian-style tables to the soundtrack of live jazz in the Belden Place Alley in San Francisco.

The restaurant was opened in 1989 by Olivier Azancot and Eric Klein. The business cited a decline in foot traffic and the pandemic as the financial woes that ultimately forced management to consider closing.

Rubio's

Rubio's Coastal Grill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after the company abruptly closed nearly 50 locations across California over the summer.

Rubio's Restaurants, the parent company of the Carlsbad-based fast-casual restaurant chain, announced it is pursuing bankruptcy with plans to sell the 41-year-old business. The company said it would continue operating the remaining 86 locations in California, Arizona and Nevada.

"Making the decision to close a store is never an easy one," the company said in a statement. "While painful, the store closures are a necessary step in our strategic long-term plan to position Rubio's for success for years to come. The closings were brought about by the rising cost of doing business in California."

Red Lobster

Three Red Lobster restaurants in Southern California and five more in Northern California closed their doors earlier this year as dozens more nationwide suddenly shuttered. According to social media postings from restaurant employees, the closures came without notice.

In the spring, Red Lobster reported that it was considering filing for bankruptcy after suffering a substantial loss from its endless shrimp promotion.

Ramona's Mexican Restaurant, Beaumont

This one didn't technically close in 2024, but the longtime Beaumont staple known locally for its Mexican food will close its doors on January 11, 2025 — so there's still time to enjoy this five-decade-old institution one last time.

The Vargas family first opened Ramona's in 1972, at 249 W. 6th Street. They said they dreamed of sharing "food and traditions" with the community.

"Over the years, it's become so much more than just a restaurant. Ramona's has been a place where neighbors gather, families celebrate, and memories are made. Seeing your familiar faces and meeting new ones along the way has been the heart of our journey."

Harpoon Henry's, Dana Point

This longstanding Dana Point Harbor restaurant didn’t technically close its doors in 2024 — original plans to shut down Harpoon Henry’s in January 2025 after almost 50 years of service were changed due to public demand.

Now, the well-loved restaurant will shutter this summer.

For nearly 50 years, Harpoon Henry's has been an Orange County staple, known for its warm service, coastal ambiance and classic cuisine.

"We know how much this establishment means to the community, and we encourage everyone to come celebrate the final season with the Harpoon Henry's team," Dana Point Harbor Partners representative Bryon Ward said.

Avensole Winery, Temecula

Avensole Winery and Tasting Room in Temecula Valley Wine Country closed in October, ending a favorable chapter in the wine country's history.

Avensole was a labor of love in tribute to Bill and Sylvia Lytton. The Lytton family operated it with their daughter Maribeth and son Sheldon Lytton, who passed away in 2019.

Avensole opened its doors in 2016 and became an area favorite for many with its outdoor dining, beautiful vistas and tasting room.

Buca di Beppo

Over the summer, Buca di Beppo shuttered its Sacramento location as part of a national wave of closures, according to reports.

“After being part of this community for 25 years, regrettably, Buca di Beppo in Sacramento has closed,” the Italian restaurant chain said Thursday in a prepared statement. “We thank our customers for their loyalty — it was our privilege to be the backdrop for countless gatherings and celebrations over the past two decades.”

Buca di Beppo closed 13 locations nationwide in August, reducing its footprint by over 20 percent, Restaurant Business Magazine reported.