These notable Orange County restaurants closed during the first half of 2021

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Our last report on permanently closed restaurants, published in mid December, was a lengthy list, but as the pandemic winds down, we’re finally tracking more openings than closings. Still, since then, some favorite local eateries have called it quits, from a popular diner on the Huntington Pier to a posh steakhouse at the Disneyland Resort. Here’s a list of some notable closings.

Mama’s Comfort Food & Drinks: This restaurant, the former Pizza Nova/Josh Slocum’s, closed at the end of January less than two years after it opened in Newport Beach on Mariner’s Mile. Mariner’s Mile has been tagged as a redevelopment zone by the city since 2011, so it seemed that maybe the timing wasn’t right for the popular restaurant, which had found a flashy waterfront spot compared to its other neighborhood locations in Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach and Ladera Ranch.

Ruby’s Diner: Going fishing, surfing, sunbathing or simply strolling the pier, Ruby’s was the perfect place to grab a burger, shake, fries or a homey breakfast of cinnamon roll french toast. Locals were saddened when it closed its doors permanently on Feb. 26.

“I went on dates with my husband there, both before and after we were married,” Huntington Beach resident Anna Child told the Register. “We took our children to Ruby’s all the time.”

The restaurant was purchased by a new ownership group out of a bankruptcy proceeding, Huntington Beach City Manager Oliver Chi said. It will become a seafood restaurant.

Anaheim Brewery: In early March, owners Greg and Barbara Gerovac posted a note that it was last call for the historic brewery. (Owned by the Hessels, it was a family operation which fell apart in the 1920s due to Prohibition.) The Gerovacs invited fans to “please drop by to reminisce and raise a glass to all the good times we’ve had,” and indicated that they would be retiring and closing in April.

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Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill in Fullerton: After a little more than 45 years, this go-to for combo plates and margaritas, closed on Sunday, June 27. Rick Fraser, son of the original owner, Rod Fraser, and previous owner of the iconic Rod’s Liquor in Old Towne Orange, said the family wanted to focus on its 11 other locations in Southern California, which include Anaheim, Tustin and Huntington Beach.

“We have such loyal customers and guests who have been dining with us at Fullerton for nearly 5 decades,” Rick Fraser said at the time. “We are so fortunate that they will still be able to find us at one of our nearby locations, and continue to dine with us for many more years to come.”

Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel and PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel: Always ready to renovate, Disney has decided to consider new options for these locations which were victims of the pandemic as reported in the Register on July 1.

Disneyland is bringing back eateries at the parks and hotels in stages as part of a phased reopening. Napa Rose, Storytellers Cafe, Hearthstone Lounge and GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill have already reopened at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.

Yard House: Fashion Island has confirmed that its location of this popular restaurant has recently closed. The shopping center will announce a new tenant coming into that space soon.

This post first appeared on ocregister.com

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