An owner reaching retirement is about the only positive way I can think of a restaurant to close. That said, a loss for Midtown in terms of food quality and diversity. I am naively hoping for a "Grill on the Hill" situation where we see the place later reopen under different management, ideally previous staff. Got to get my feijoada fix somewhere.

I've never been unfortunately, but it sounds like the owner was the main cook? If so, that would be pretty hard to replicate if someone else were to purchase the restaurant and keep it going.

I've never been unfortunately, but it sounds like the owner was the main cook? If so, that would be pretty hard to replicate if someone else were to purchase the restaurant and keep it going.

yes she is the chef ... and is there pretty much all the time they are open

DANG my wife and I just love Cafe de Brasil. Hate to see it close.

Interesting to note that the couple that owns Cafe de Brasil also owns that entire building and the parking lot to the east.

Will be interesting to see what happens to the property now that they've closed the restaurant.

Cafe Do Brazil closing really sucks, I will go and visit on the last day, I will miss it but she deserves a great retirement and I wish her the best!

27 years. That’s an amazing run.

Cafe Do Brazil closing really sucks, I will go and visit on the last day, I will miss it but she deserves a great retirement and I wish her the best!
get your reservation in. they are almost gone.

Okay I’m just gonna say it not a big loss. Big deal. It was mediocre Brazilian food at best. I come from a family half of which is Brazilian. I just didn’t think they were anything special.

Would any of your family want to start a Brazilian restaurant here? :D

Hearing that doesn't surprise me--whenever I have asked someone from the country of origin of a restaurant, be it places like Zambrano's, Ma Der Lao, Queen of Sheba, etc., I get a response to the degree of "it's okay, but nothing like home." Makes sense that places 1000's of miles away can't source the same ingredients, get the same level of freshness, or rely on a communal/generational cooking culture. That said, some of us aren't so lucky to have such a personal connection, so even if it is the equivalent of looking at a picture of the Grand Canyon versus actually visiting the Grand Canyon, getting some level of an experience of a different cultural cuisine is exciting--particularly for myself who grew up in a household where going out to eat was too expensive and the name of the game was cereal, PB&J, and casseroles! So for me, the bigger sense of loss is that a restaurant that has been a part of my "food discovery" chapter as a young adult is going away, without a clear successor to it--the other Brazilian restaurants I know in OKC are both Brazilian steakhouses, which come off as more "Americanized" to me (although I don't claim to be an expert by any means in my limited experience of the world). I do imagine as I get more grizzled and see more unique restaurants come and go, it won't be as somber of a moment.

Do you have any good recommendations in the metro where one could continue to get dishes like feijoada or coxinha? Would be happy to find new places to support.

Okay I’m just gonna say it not a big loss. Big deal. It was mediocre Brazilian food at best. I come from a family half of which is Brazilian. I just didn’t think they were anything special.

What does your family lineage or your personal view of their food have to do with the significance of them closing?

...
Do you have any good recommendations in the metro where one could continue to get dishes like feijoada or coxinha? Would be happy to find new places to support.

Zarate's in Edmond used to be pretty decent for Brazilian food, but that was a long time ago, and we stopped going because they changed their menu and took away some of our favorite dishes. Not sure what they're like now, but they're about the only place I know of that serves feijoada (not sure about coxinha).

Went on Saturday night. Food was great but the staff’s admission, they’ve definitely stopped marketing and trying to promote the business over the last few years…which makes things tough when tons of new options keep opening nearby. They said the crowds have been pretty low until it was announced that they were closing. Case in point…Bossa Nova (the roof top bar) hasn’t been open (outside of private events) for at least a year, probably longer. I get it…27 years in the restaurant industry is a grind…especially given where midtown was over the first decade they were open…I hate to see it go but hopefully someone will either take over the business or bring a new concept because the restaurant and rooftop are great spaces in the heart of a booming midtown.

Went on Saturday night. Food was great but the staff’s admission, they’ve definitely stopped marketing and trying to promote the business over the last few years…which makes things tough when tons of new options keep opening nearby. They said the crowds have been pretty low until it was announced that they were closing. Case in point…Bossa Nova (the roof top bar) hasn’t been open (outside of private events) for at least a year, probably longer. I get it…27 years in the restaurant industry is a grind…especially given where midtown was over the first decade they were open…I hate to see it go but hopefully someone will either take over the business or bring a new concept because the restaurant and rooftop are great spaces in the heart of a booming midtown.

I did enjoy the rooftop bar many years ago when I was more likely to go out for drinks. Didn't realize it hadn't been open for a while.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cafedobrasil042323c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cafedobrasil042323d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cafedobrasil042323e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cafedobrasil042323f.jpg

Would any of your family want to start a Brazilian restaurant here? :D

Hearing that doesn't surprise me--whenever I have asked someone from the country of origin of a restaurant, be it places like Zambrano's, Ma Der Lao, Queen of Sheba, etc., I get a response to the degree of "it's okay, but nothing like home." Makes sense that places 1000's of miles away can't source the same ingredients, get the same level of freshness, or rely on a communal/generational cooking culture. That said, some of us aren't so lucky to have such a personal connection, so even if it is the equivalent of looking at a picture of the Grand Canyon versus actually visiting the Grand Canyon, getting some level of an experience of a different cultural cuisine is exciting--particularly for myself who grew up in a household where going out to eat was too expensive and the name of the game was cereal, PB&J, and casseroles! So for me, the bigger sense of loss is that a restaurant that has been a part of my "food discovery" chapter as a young adult is going away, without a clear successor to it--the other Brazilian restaurants I know in OKC are both Brazilian steakhouses, which come off as more "Americanized" to me (although I don't claim to be an expert by any means in my limited experience of the world). I do imagine as I get more grizzled and see more unique restaurants come and go, it won't be as somber of a moment.

Do you have any good recommendations in the metro where one could continue to get dishes like feijoada or coxinha? Would be happy to find new places to support.
They should. My stepmother is from a village in the Amazon and the food I had there was amazing. It’s just a matter of getting them over here.

A few Norman closures that I don't believe have been mentioned in this thread:

- Blackbird Gastropub
- Brewhouse
- The Meating Place (last day 04/30/2023)

Blackbird closed??

Blackbird closed??

In December I believe.

What was the name of the place across from the colcord? It's now called cafe delasie ?

Their menu was like salads, pizzas, pasta dishes etc

What was the name of the place across from the colcord? It's now called cafe delasie ?

Their menu was like salads, pizzas, pasta dishes etc

Cafe 7.

A few Norman closures that I don't believe have been mentioned in this thread:

- Blackbird Gastropub
- Brewhouse
- The Meating Place (last day 04/30/2023)

I was shocked to hear that Blackbird/Birds nest closed though the only time I ever went was on game days and they were of course always packed. That was a massive space…must have been tough to staff and fill the rest of the time.

Holy moly. I had no idea Blackbird closed. I used them to hold several events in their event space and they always did a good job. The restaurant also seemed to be doing well every time I was there.

On Campus Corner, it seems only two types of restaurants & bars are successful: Those that operate as full-on clubs and fast-casual food service.

On Campus Corner, it seems only two types of restaurants & bars are successful: Those that operate as full-on clubs and fast-casual food service.

The rent is way too high. I've heard rumors for years about OU big wigs and others in the Norman community that they need to cut down on the high rent to lure some actual good shops in that area.

In a perfect world they would build a small garage near by and close all the streets in campus corner to make it walkable only. Everyone good and local is on Main Street now. Campus Corner is pretty lifeless except on game days and weekends during the school year.

My wife and I have been racking our brains trying to remember the restaurant that used to be where Starbucks is NOW in Nichols Hills Plaza? They also, for a time, had a place in Mathis Bros?

Ground Floor cafe

In addition to the Mathis Brothers, I think there was also one in Edmond, were they run by the Metro Wine bar people?

My wife and I have been racking our brains trying to remember the restaurant that used to be where Starbucks is NOW in Nichols Hills Plaza? They also, for a time, had a place in Mathis Bros?

Mamasita's?

^
uggh... i've been racking my brain trying to remember what was in starbucks' *prior* location in nichols hills plaza on avondale.

for the record, i think that was ground floor cafe.

It appears that Dunkin Donuts has closed on Broadway in south Edmond. All the signs are taken down/removed. That place always had a line of cars in the drive thru and busy inside.

It appears that Dunkin Donuts has closed on Broadway in south Edmond. All the signs are taken down/removed. That place always had a line of cars in the drive thru and busy inside.

Very strange. That was a purpose-built DD and they have been expanding all around the area.

Very strange. That was a purpose-built DD and they have been expanding all around the area.

Exactly. It was always busy and we frequently stopped in. I wonder if it has anything to do with their expansion here of smaller buildings, more of a walk-up/drive-thru style as opposed to the big store. We stopped in at the one on N May one time and there were only two employees working there. Meanwhile the one here that just closed always had something like 5 or 6 employees at one time -- but there seemed to always be a supportive number of customers.

Ground Floor cafe

YES! Thank you

It appears that Dunkin Donuts has closed on Broadway in south Edmond. All the signs are taken down/removed. That place always had a line of cars in the drive thru and busy inside.

I talked to the owner and they said they increased the rent so owner could not afford it so the owner shut it down

Has it already been reported that City + State has a sign on door that says they have currently suspended full service?

Has it already been reported that City + State has a sign on door that says they have currently suspended full service?

I never tried that place.

Sounds like I never will!

I drove by The Frosted Mug a few days ago and they were taking the signs down. But now it has new The Mug signage. And the changeable sign says Same Place, New Attitude.

This is fairly old news, but Outta da Box in the OKSea shipping containers in Deep Deuce closed a few months ago after a fairly short life--posted a sign that they were temporarily closed due to a family medical emergency and then never reopened. Sadly, never saw the place that busy, so not sure how long they could have lasted--really nice family though. The grandfather Lafayette was enjoyable to chat with.

Interestingly, the small suite "1B" next to it was getting renovated and even got signage put up as "Sips n Such." Then nothing for a month. Now there is an "Available' sign on it. So looks like it fell through. I do wish Deep Deuce really had a corner shop of some kind (looking at you Samir's), so maybe one of these small suites can eventually open up as one with enough population density.

The Aloft has also been renovating their ground level and has signs up for a Levitate Grill, although it has been a couple of months of little-to-no-movement and still no official announcement of opening. I suspect it is due to staffing shortages, but could be any number of reasons.

It is interesting seeing a bit of the contrast in Deep Deuce, existing places like Blok (aka Anchor Down), Willow, Black Walnut, Stag, Bar Cicchetti, Deep Deuce Grill, etc. seem to have steady crowds, but it seems new places struggle or can't even reach opening. Maybe the lot that was going to be "LEVEL East" needs to get developed to bring more people in so more business can be supported. The nearly $1mm townhouses going up on 3rd St. are nice to look at, and while I am glad those are filling up and building out (still impresses me people can afford those), they aren't going to bring the population density that more multi-family developments would.

The Industry Gastropub in Moore is active again! After weeks (months?).of sitting idle and a dumpster in front seemingly tearing stuff out, a "Now Hiring" sign is up and it appears someone is trying again with this property.

El Pollo Chulo at NW 50th and MacArthur has recently closed.

El Pollo Chulo at NW 50th and MacArthur has recently closed.

They still have one location at SW 78th & Western.

I tried the location on 50th once and was disappointed and never went back. I was hoping for something like El Polo Loco, but IMO it wasn't in the same league.

They still have one location at SW 78th & Western.

I tried the location on 50th once and was disappointed and never went back. I was hoping for something like El Polo Loco, but IMO it wasn't in the same league.

i'm almost 100% certain the sw okc location has been closed for a while now. totally agree that it was pretty disappointing.

I felt pretty much the same way about El Pollo Chulo.... The building was nicer than any of the El Primo Locos around town but I preferred El Primo Loco.

Brown's Bakery closing after 77 years as the owner is retiring. Last day will be July 8.

Brown's Bakery closing after 77 years as the owner is retiring. Last day will be July 8.

hopefully the building sells quickly and something much better is developed on that entire lot

hopefully the building sells quickly and something much better is developed on that entire lot

I believe it is under contract and I'd be surprised if it was anyone other than Midtown Renaissance.

I believe it is under contract and I'd be surprised if it was anyone other than Midtown Renaissance.

that would be great news ..

The Oklahoma Bicycle Society will be at a loss. They've had a donut ride on Saturday mornings to Brown's for as long as I can remember.

It appears Chae Cafe and Eatery at 73rd and N. Western has closed.

No! I need the oxtail soup like I need air.

No! I need the oxtail soup like I need air.

Are you kidding me?! That oxtail soup is so awesome. Between that and the Brown's sour cream donuts going away I'm heartbroken.

Brown's Bakery closing after 77 years as the owner is retiring. Last day will be July 8.

Brown's Bakery will not be closing and will be relocating since the owner's brother wants to keep the business alive which is great news!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/brown-s-bakery-in-oklahoma-city-to-eventually-reopen-at-new-location/ar-AA1dsg0P?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=6ffa2af986c548af9c4c209203b63bc1&ei=21

Browns Bakery is closing and they already sold the building. The brother stated that he wants to reopen in a new location, but we all know how that goes. He may change his mind after he takes a break and he realizes how much work it will be to open a new location.

The Service Station in Norman (Campus Corner) is closing at the end of July after 22 years. Owners are retiring

The Service Station in Norman (Campus Corner) is closing at the end of July after 22 years. Owners are retiringAh man!!! I'm going to have to get in there at least once.

I wonder if this is another sign that big changes are brewing on Campus Corner?

The Service Station in Norman (Campus Corner) is closing at the end of July after 22 years. Owners are retiring

I remember going there in the early 80's. It has been in business longer than 22 years. Since covid it was never busy in the times I went by.

I remember going there in the early 80's. It has been in business longer than 22 years. Since covid it was never busy in the times I went by.

i was thinking the same thing... i went there fairly regularly in college in the mid to late 90's. maybe it changed hands in the early 2000's.

Since covid it was never busy in the times I went by.

i used to go quite regularly back in the late 2000's and early 2010's. but honestly. until just now hearing it is closing, i had completely forgot out it, and it was not even on my list of places to visit after covid. kind of mad at myself for it somehow completely skipping my mind

I wonder if this is another sign that big changes are brewing on Campus Corner?

They have, or have had, the building listed for sale for around $1mil. for quite a while. I know I was forwarded the listing last fall.