The 5 Saddest Restaurant/Bakery Closings in Metro Phoenix in 2011

Considering the bad economy continues to top the headlines, the restaurant industry in Phoenix fared pretty darn well in 2011. Some restaurant closings -- like the notoriously icky Eddie's Pizza in Tempe -- were, frankly, overdue. And sure, we lost a slew of Marie Callender's and Krispy Kremes, but that's...

By Amy Silverman

December 28, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Considering the bad economy continues to top the headlines, the restaurant industry in Phoenix fared pretty darn well in 2011. Some restaurant closings -- like the notoriously icky Eddie's Pizza in Tempe -- were, frankly, overdue. And sure, we lost a slew of Marie Callender's and Krispy Kremes, but that's not what got us teary -- instead it was a few longtime indie favorites that made that final sale and slipped into Phoenix food history.

5. Trader Vic's

For anyone who remembers the original Scottsdale outpost of this small chain, the Trader Vic's that popped up a few years ago at the renovated Valley Ho was just a (super-styled, over-priced, mediocre-menu-ed) shadow of its former self. But we'll admit to enjoying more than a few happy hours in the bar -- where the vintage drinks flowed and the pu-pu platters glowed.

Find out what other closures left us bummed out and hungry after the jump.

4. Simply Bread

This popular bakery's closure hit hard all over town, as restaurants scurried to place bread orders elsewhere. Many were simply devastated.

3. Local Breeze

Another downtown brunch fave went belly up a few weeks ago. We hope someone with deep pockets snags this airy old spot with so much indoor/outdoor potential.

2. Maui Dog

Chow Bella's got some serious Maui Dog addicts on staff, so news of this impending closure really hit our ranks hard.

1. Cathy's Rum Cakes

Long before TV reality shows devoted to baking, Cathy's was the cake boss in this town. We've been to many wedding receptions where the rum cake outshined the bride. Cathy's will be sorely missed.

Any 2011 closings got you particularly bummed out? Let us know in the comments section.

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Amy Silverman is the former managing editor of Phoenix New Times. She is a two-time winner of the Arizona Press Club’s Journalist of the Year award. Her work has appeared on the radio show This American Life and in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Lenny Letter, and Brain, Child.