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Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 1:44 pm
by appsfan
Over the weekend, I saw where today (5/19) is the last day for the Red Onion to be open. I also saw where Famous Toastery on King Street has closed.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 1:46 pm
by BallantyneApp
Never went to red onion but always sad to see a local place go down.
0 Fs given about Toast. Chain restaurants don’t belong on King street
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 2:42 pm
by EastHallApp
Man... that sucks about Red Onion. And I feel a little personally guilty because I rarely went there. I lived three of my four years in school virtually right across the street and only went once or twice.
BUT, my family and I found ourselves in need of a quick pregame meal last year and went there, sat on the covered patio (perfect while the rain let up), and it was a lot of fun. Nothing fancy, just a good lunch and a strong cocktail. Was looking forward to going back sometime.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 2:43 pm
by AppSt94
Surprised that it took RO to close down. The owners moved to San Diego a year or two ago.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 2:44 pm
by AppSt94
EastHallApp wrote: ↑Mon May 19, 2025 2:42 pm
Man... that sucks about Red Onion. And I feel a little personally guilty because I rarely went there. I lived three of my four years in school virtually right across the street and only went once or twice.
BUT, my family and I found ourselves in need of a quick pregame meal last year and went there, sat on the covered patio (perfect while the rain let up), and it was a lot of fun. Nothing fancy, just a good lunch and a strong cocktail. Was looking forward to going back sometime.
I lived in the apartment building directly behind it and never stepped foot in the Onion.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 3:09 pm
by Stonewall
Good memories of taking a date , or my buddies to the Onion. No surprise given the value of that real estate.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 3:10 pm
by BambooRdApp
AppSt94 wrote: ↑Mon May 19, 2025 2:44 pm
EastHallApp wrote: ↑Mon May 19, 2025 2:42 pm
Man... that sucks about Red Onion. And I feel a little personally guilty because I rarely went there. I lived three of my four years in school virtually right across the street and only went once or twice.
BUT, my family and I found ourselves in need of a quick pregame meal last year and went there, sat on the covered patio (perfect while the rain let up), and it was a lot of fun. Nothing fancy, just a good lunch and a strong cocktail. Was looking forward to going back sometime.
I lived in the apartment building directly behind it and never stepped foot in the Onion.
We enjoyed RO.. oddly enough, the French onion soup was good
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 4:45 pm
by fjblair
I knew the Famous Toastery wouldn't work downtown, too many "breakfast" joints in town and not having dinner service doesn't help. Sad to see the Red Onion go, it was one of the few legacy restaurants remaining.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 4:50 pm
by JTApps1
I've never understood the draw of Famous Toastery. Average food for above average prices.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 5:44 pm
by NattyBumppo'sRevenge
Infamous Toastery
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 7:24 pm
by CornCobPipes
Sad indeed that another landmark establishment like the RO closes. Many great times there back in college days as well as a few visits post gameday.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 9:21 pm
by T-Dog
On the other end, Melanie's moved to Howard Street and is doing very well there. I just went on Sunday and enjoyed it. The owners of Mint are opening a new concept at the former Melanie's. Mellow Mushroom just reopened after renovations.
The Local just opened a sister restaurant called The Social along King Street, kinda next to Horton Hotel. It has speakeasy vibes despite its bland name. Horton also opened a second hotel just a few steps down the road.
A lot of change going on as the ripple effects from Helene and increased costs cause challenges.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 10:54 pm
by BambooRdApp
We like Betty's. Between Betty's and Melanies..that may have been the nail in the coffin for FT.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closin
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 6:03 am
by AppSt94
BambooRdApp wrote: ↑Mon May 19, 2025 10:54 pm
We like Betty's. Between Betty's and Melanies..that may have been the mail in the coffin for FT.
Agree with you. We like Betty’s as well.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 6:07 am
by Bigdaddyg1
Lived in Hoey for 2 years. I recall parking my car over there (briefly) as I was moving in. Looked out my window only to see the tow truck about to hook me up! I think I convinced the guy to let me move it. Don’t know if I actually ever ate there.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 8:06 am
by PoplarHillApp
Hate to see Red Onion close, but I can understand after growing up in the restaurant business. Sometimes you get tired, it’s time to retire, or you don’t have anyone to take it over. 45 years is a phenomenal run, with an 80% failure rate in that industry within 5 years. Boone has been fortunate to have a lot of successful long-term restaurants. Hopefully the trend will continue.
I keep hoping for less fast food and fewer chains coming to Boone, but that’s a pipe dream. Longhorn is trying to come to the vacant Golden Corral site, but meeting tough sledding with the town from what I hear.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 8:25 am
by AppSt94
PoplarHillApp wrote: ↑Tue May 20, 2025 8:06 am
Hate to see Red Onion close, but I can understand after growing up in the restaurant business. Sometimes you get tired, it’s time to retire, or you don’t have anyone to take it over. 45 years is a phenomenal run, with an 80% failure rate in that industry within 5 years. Boone has been fortunate to have a lot of successful long-term restaurants. Hopefully the trend will continue.
I keep hoping for less fast food and fewer chains coming to Boone, but that’s a pipe dream. Longhorn is trying to come to the vacant Golden Corral site, but meeting tough sledding with the town from what I hear.
What are the issues with Longhorn moving in?
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 8:51 am
by Bigdaddyg1
Side note we used to hit Makoto’s lunch back in the mid 80’s as it was about $3.50. Hard to believe. I only mentioned that as it’s stayed in business at least 40ish years.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 8:58 am
by huskie3
I always liked Red Onion, whoever mentioned French Onion soup was right on.
Re: Boone Restaurants Closing
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 10:11 am
by AppinVA
AppSt94 wrote: ↑Tue May 20, 2025 8:25 am
PoplarHillApp wrote: ↑Tue May 20, 2025 8:06 am
Hate to see Red Onion close, but I can understand after growing up in the restaurant business. Sometimes you get tired, it’s time to retire, or you don’t have anyone to take it over. 45 years is a phenomenal run, with an 80% failure rate in that industry within 5 years. Boone has been fortunate to have a lot of successful long-term restaurants. Hopefully the trend will continue.
I keep hoping for less fast food and fewer chains coming to Boone, but that’s a pipe dream. Longhorn is trying to come to the vacant Golden Corral site, but meeting tough sledding with the town from what I hear.
What are the issues with Longhorn moving in?
I don’t usually hit the chain restaurants in Boone, but locals and students work in these places, so it’s not like all money leaves the community. Let the market decide. Chains have come and chains have gone. Local restaurants have done the same.
