We have sad news to report during National Burger Month. Coal Burger, the coal fired oven burger concept from the folks at Grimaldi's, has closed. We were fans of the burger, but will admit that there were consistency issues: Sometimes the burger was perfect, sometimes it was dried out. Apparently cooking ground beef in a 1000+ degree coal-fired oven requires a very deft touch.
Combine the consistency issues with the notoriously dicey parking situation at the Woodlands Waterway, and Grimaldi's decided to close this restaurant after less than a year.
According to our sources, Grimaldi's plans to expand its pizza operation into the Coal Burger space.
We have no word on whether other Coal Burger locations in Arizona are closing as well.
Truffles Chocolate, the candy/dessert spot on Market Street in the Woodlands, has closed. Hopefully this prime location, facing Central Park will be redeveloped soon.
We just received confirmation that the popular Galleria-area middle-eastern restaurant, Mint Cafe, will be closing its doors at the end of the month. Eagle-eyed readers spotted a lockout notice for unpaid rent, and apparently the owners have had a spell of bad luck and are calling it quits.
In an effort designed to curb declining revenue caused by the recession, Seattle-based Starbucks has announced that it's closing 195 stores across the nation.
California is hardest hit, with 76 closures.
The Houston area did not escape the closures. The Starbucks at 5508 FM 1960 West is on the chopping block.
We just got a message via Twitter that Sirenuse, the upscale Euro bistro located on the Woodlands waterway, has closed its doors.
The ambitious restaurant never really got traction in the Woodlands. Its location made it invisible to passing traffic, and the concept of a high-end bistro during this economic downturn made it a difficult proposition for success.
Thelma's Bar-B-Que, the landmark Houston BBQ spot was seriously damaged over the weekend by fire. They are closed until further notice, and there's no word about when and if Thelma will rebuild and reopen.
We at H-Town Chow Down wish Miss Thelma the best during this difficult time, and look forward to her reopening her legendary establishment.
Robb Walsh gives us the sordid details.
Mi Luna, the popular Woodlands-area Tapas bar, is gone. We stopped by recently and found the door locked, and a notice from the landlord that they had been locked out because of failure to pay rent.
Apparently the Woodlands location is the only one closing.
A few significant restaurant closings in the Houston area:
Azzarelli's, Katy
Backdoor Sushi, River Oaks
The Brownstone, River Oaks
Chocolata, The Woodlands
Hunan River, River Oaks
Little Hip's Diner, Washington Ave.
La Mesa Bistro, The Woodlands