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Fast Food Maven ~ Restaurant news, trends and culture by Nancy Luna.

Archive for the 'restaurant closures' Category

Taco Bell in Surf City torn down for ‘bold’ makeover

February 8th, 2010, 6:15 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
This Taco Bell in Orange near Lucille's Rib Shack is among at least 2 serving breakfast in O.C. Do you know of more? If so, write in and let us know.

This Taco Bell in Orange was recently remodeled, and is among at least 2 serving breakfast in O.C. Will the new Taco Bell in Surf City get morning grub?

A concerned reader sent me an email after spotting the demolition of an old Taco Bell in Huntington Beach.

The unit, at 7480 Edinger Avenue, closed and was promptly torn down, the reader said. So what prompted the closure?

Old age, it seems.

The restaurant will be rebuilt as a “completely new Bold Choice Taco Bell,” said Rob Poetsch, a spokesman for the Irvine-based chain.

Bold Choice.

What does that mean?

“The new restaurant will feature a fresh new look, complete with bold color palettes, a more inviting dining room and state-of-the-art technology to deliver speed with service. We expect it to open sometime this April or May,” he said.

Morning Wrap, unwrapped

Taco Bell's 'Morning Wrap, unwrapped. Of all the new breakfast items, I liked this one the most.

The chain recently revamped a Taco Bell in Orange on Chapman Avenue near the Crystal Cathedral. When that unit reopened, it began testing breakfast. So, naturally, I asked Poetsch if the new Huntington Beach restaurant will be equipped to sell morning grub when it reopens.

He didn’t respond specifically to my answer, but hinted that a breakfast update is on the horizon. Hooray. More info: A closer look at Taco Bell’s new breakfast items.

Related stories:

Last MaggieMoo’s in O.C. closes

January 30th, 2010, 5:12 pm by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

Chocolate winner (Click photo to enlarge)

The Ladera Ranch MaggieMoo’s ice cream shop closed Tuesday, Jan.  26.

At one point, Joe and Patrice Mudd of Coto de Caza owned four MaggieMoo’s in Orange County. All units (Balboa Island, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel and Ladera Ranch) have closed due to the economy, the couple said. (Read full story)

LIST: Restaurant Closures in Orange County

Landmark Newport Beach eatery closes

January 28th, 2010, 5:22 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

dan-marcheanoThe Arches, a landmark eatery in Newport Beach, has closed.

Dan Marcheano shut it down over the weekend, citing permit issues with the city. The closure comes two years after The Arches relocated to Cannery Village in the same cottage where Tim and Liza Goodell once operated Aubergine.

At the time, Marcheano had operated the Arches on Pacific Coast Highway for 25 years.

The steakhouse, a fixture in Newport Beach since 1922, eventually relocated to 508 29th St. Read the rest of this entry »

Daphne’s Greek Cafe bankrupt

January 14th, 2010, 10:00 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

daphnescafelogo

Perhaps it is a Greek tragedy, after all.

The owner of Daphne’s Greek Cafe, a once thriving fast-casual chain founded in 1991 by former professional soccer player George Katakalidis, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to court records. Read the rest of this entry »

Closed Surf City pier eatery to reopen Friday

January 13th, 2010, 6:25 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Chimayo is a popular spot for tourists

Chimayo is a popular spot for tourists

Chimayo at the Beach, which closed temporarily last week under new ownership, is expected to reopen Friday night.

Culinary Adventures, a struggling Newport Beach-based restaurant company, sold the Surf City eatery to TS Restaurants, owner of the Hawaiian-themed Duke’s, which is located directly above Chimayo. Read the rest of this entry »

Wal-Mart to close Irvine club store

January 11th, 2010, 3:26 pm by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

Updated 6:15 p.m.
—————-
samsclub_primary_rgbIn a surprise move for the giant retailer, Wal-Mart Inc. disclosed plans Monday to close 10 money-losing  Sam’s Club warehouses, including one in Irvine.

“Despite the outstanding efforts of our associates, these clubs continued to lose money and we have decided to close them,” Sam’s Club CEO Brian Cornell said in a statement released today by Wal-Mart Inc.

(Will fees be refunded? See below)

Read the rest of this entry »

3rd Daphne’s closes in O.C.

January 9th, 2010, 1:20 pm by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

Reader Jori, sent me this e-newsletter she received from her local Daphne’s in Anaheim Hills:

Daphne’s in Anaheim Hills is now closed.

Jori,
It’s been our pleasure serving you at our Anaheim Hills restaurant. This location is now closed. We appreciate your business, and look forward to serving you at one of our neighboring locations. Visit us at daphnes.biz to find one of our Southern California locations near you.

Is this the beginning of a Greek tragedy? This is the third Daphne’s to close in Orange County over the last few weeks. The other two were in Orange and Santa Ana. I wonder how many others will go down in the coming weeks.

LIST: O.C. Restaurants Out of Business

Other closures:

Another Daphne’s Greek Cafe closes

January 6th, 2010, 3:15 pm by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

Closure update: Peet’s cafe in Anaheim closes
————
Daphne’s Greek Cafe closed at the Orange mall, according to an email the chain sent customers.

It’s the second one to close in Orange County in less than a month. A Daphne’s in Santa Ana shutdown in late December.

“It’s been our pleasure serving you at our Orange restaurant. This location is now closed. We appreciate your business, and look forward to serving you at one of our neighboring locations. Visit us at daphnes.biz to find one of our 55 Southern California locations near you,” the email stated.

Other closures:

Closure update: Seaside Dana Point eatery & another Cold Stone

January 5th, 2010, 10:49 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Photo by Vik Jolly

Photo by Vik Jolly

The string of end-of-the-year closures continues in Orange County.

The Beach House in Dana Point harbor, among a trio of seaside Southern California eateries, closed last week.  Also, Cold Stone Creamery in Santa Ana near the MainPlace mall has been evicted from its Main Street location. Read the rest of this entry »

McDonald’s closes at Fashion Island

January 4th, 2010, 1:56 pm by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

fashion-island-ext-shotFirst the carousel and the popping fountain jets go at Fashion Island.

Now, McDonald’s.

An Irvine Co. spokeswoman confirmed that the McDonald’s in the upper-level food court shuttered over the holidays.

“McDonald’s lease expired on Dec. 31 and the ownership opted not to renew,” said Jane Gillespie, a representative for Irvine Co. shopping centers. Read the rest of this entry »