(The Advertiser)- Restaurant ownership is notoriously difficult.
The long hours, high employee turnover and low profit margins lead many restaurant owners to call it quits within a few years.
And while restaurant closures are common in any market, the continued downturn of the oilfield and chain restaurant openings seem to have hit a few longtime favorites hard.
Here’s a look at Acadiana restaurants that have closed in the last year.
1. Antlers
This third-generation bar and restaurant closed its Lafayette and Broussard locations in April.
An April 30 post on the restaurant’s Facebook page attributed the closure to the economy.
“Due to the slowing economy over the past five years, we are unable to keep our doors open,” the Facebook post said. “With heavy hearts we are closing both locations of Antlers. Thanks Acadiana for the past 30 plus years!”
Antlers opened in downtown Lafayette in 1921, which made it the oldest bar in town, according to the Antlers website.
The bar was purchased in 1940 by Joe Walters, who moved the bar directly across the street to its current location at 555 Jefferson St.
Third-generation owner Johnny Walters opened a second location a few years ago at 200 Heritage Parkway in Broussard.
2. No Good Sons BBQ and Boil
This Broussard barbecue restaurant closed in June.
A June 26 post on the restaurant’s Facebook page thanked the community for its love and support.
“No Good Sons BBQ and Boil started with a dream of providing our area with the best BBQ we could make,” the Facebook post said. “Our dream began last year around this time out of our home. We hustled and worked very hard to gain a reputation as the best BBQ in Acadiana and I believe that we did that.
“While we are closing, we consider this an amazing experience and we are super grateful for the relationships we were able to build and the lessons we learned along the way. Again, we thank everyone for everything and we are beyond grateful for the love and support Acadiana has shown us.”
Ronnie Stelly started No Good Sons BBQ and Boil out of his home in 2014 and opened a full-service restaurant two years later at 1000 Albertson Parkway in Broussard.
3. Nimbeaux’s Restaurant
This Cajun restaurant closed in January after more than 17 years in business.
Owners Jim and Wendy Babin made the announcement Jan. 2 on the Nimbeaux’s Instagram account.
“Jim and Wendy have decided to retire from the restaurant business,” the Instagram post said. “We would like to thank our children, grandchildren, family, friends and all of Acadiana for giving us the privilege and honor of sharing our lives with you and for serving you. If we would have known 17 and a half years ago how difficult coming to this decision was, we would not have undertaken this venture. But like the song says, then we would have missed ‘the dance.’
“We love and appreciate you all.”
Nimbeaux’s opened its doors in July of 2000 on Industrial Parkway.
The restaurant — which has used the slogan “Can you find us?” since opening — offered a large menu but was best known for its fried catfish.
Nimbeaux’s moved in November of 2010 to a shopping center on Pinhook Road. The restaurant changed its slogan to “Can you find us now?”
4. Southside Bakery
This Lafayette bakery closed in June after 65 years of business.
The Guilbeaux family announced that they were retiring and closing Southside Bakery in a June 11 Facebook post.
“Since 1953 Southside Bakery has had the privilege to serve our friends in Acadiana,” the post said. “Through the years we have helped celebrate the many milestones life awards us. From first birthdays, communions, weddings and retirements, we were honored to share your families’ joys.
“We are so grateful for your support and humbled to be considered a Lafayette tradition.
With a gracious heart the Guilbeaux family says farewell and welcomes our loyal customers back to visit, as we hand over the keys to an exciting new establishment.”
Southside Bakery was most recently located at 4519 W. Congress St.
The bakery was located at 2801 Johnston St. at its intersection with South College Road for many years until a legal dispute between the owner of Southside, his twin sons and their landlord resulted in the move.
Twins Burgers & Sweets now operates in the former Southside location at 2801 Johnston St.
5. Dark Roux
This local-centric restaurant closed in December after a three-year run in Lafayette.
Dark Roux closed Dec. 31 as chef-owner Ryan Trahan and his wife prepared to welcome their first child.
“I need to now focus all the time and energy that I put into making the restaurant great into being a great father,” Trahan said of the decision to close. “That’s the sole reason we decided to close the restaurant. We hope everybody enjoyed the restaurant as much as we did.”
Dark Roux opened in December 2014 at 3524 Kaliste Saloom Road and served seasonal menus that showcased local meat, seafood and produce.
Trahan now works as a chef at Blue Dog Cafe.
He was recently named the Louisiana Seafood King during the 2018 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off at the Cajundome Convention Center.
6. Acme Taco & Burger
This contemporary taco and burger joint closed its doors in July 2017.
Acme Taco & Burger announced the closure July 11, 2017, on its Facebook page.
“To our valued guests and community: ACME Taco and Burger has closed,” the post read. “Thank you for your love and support…”
The restaurant opened in October 2015 near the intersection of Johnston Street and Ambassador Caffery Parkway but had a history before opening in that location.
The original Acme Taco opened in October 2012 on University Avenue near Interstate 10. Another restaurant, Acme Burger, opened in March 2013 in the Oil Center.
The concepts were later consolidated into the most recent location.
In addition to burgers and tacos, the restaurant was known for innovative margarita flavors and grilled macaroni and cheese.
7. Posados Cafe
This Tex-Mex restaurant closed abruptly in January after almost two decades in Lafayette.
Posados Cafe closed abruptly the weekend of Jan. 7, according to a report from KLFY.
Employees of the Mexican restaurant were notified when they showed up for work Monday morning.
Posados manager Melissa Guilbeaux told KLFY that her employees arrived at work Monday, Jan. 8, to locked doors and management from the restaurant’s corporate office in Texas who told them the location was closing.
The restaurant chain operates more than a dozen restaurants in Louisiana and Texas.
Other Louisiana locations include one in Bossier City and two in Shreveport, according to the restaurant’s website.
The Lafayette location at 3822 Ambassador Caffery Parkway opened in May of 1998.
8. Zaxby’s
This fried chicken restaurant closed its Lafayette location in May.
Zaxby’s opened a Lafayette location in 2014 at 2813 Verot School Road near its intersection with Ambassador Caffery Parkway.
News of the closure came in the form of signs posted to the restaurant’s doors.
The Georgia-based restaurant chain offered chicken, sandwiches, salads, appetizers and more.
9. Pho’tastic
This downtown Vietnamese restaurant closed in June after almost three years in business.
Pho’tastic announced the closure in a June 7 post on its Facebook page, citing a shortage of restaurant staff as the reason for closing.
“We feel really sad to let everyone know that we (have) closed down Pho’tastic because we are short on staff,” the post said. “We want to say thank you and (express appreciation) to everyone for the support and business in the past years…”
Pho’tastic opened at 431 Jefferson St. in November 2015.
Justin Lai, the restaurant’s manager, encouraged fans of Pho’tastic to visit his sister restaurant, Pho Saigon, at 120 Curran Lane, suite K, in Lafayette.
10. Home Slice Pizza Buffet
This pizza buffet closed earlier a few months ago after less than a year in business.
Home Slice opened in June 2017 at 1605 N. University Ave. near Interstate 10.
The restaurant, which was operated by Acme Taco & Burger’s management, was located in the original location of Acme Taco.
Home Slice was known for its affordable pizza buffet.
11. Pyro’s Burgers & Wings
This local restaurant closed in August after less than two years in business.
Pyro’s opened at 2700 Moss St. in March 2016.
In addition to burgers and wings, the restaurant was known for its seafood, chicken and salads.
12. Urbano’s Taco Bar
The Pinhook location of this contemporary taco restaurant closed in February.
Urbano’s Taco Bar at 2023 W. Pinhook Road closed Feb. 6 after about four years in Lafayette.
“I came here with an American dream, just trying to do my best,” owner Ricardo Valerio said. “I’m downsizing to keep that dream alive.”
A second location of the restaurant at 2918 Johnston St. is still open.
Valerio said the economic downturn is to blame for the restaurant’s closure.
Now, he’s pleading with the community that allowed him a shot at the American dream to support his business and other local restaurants.
“Support the people who are at the supermarkets and who are picking their kids up from school and who are at church with you,” Valerio says. “That’s the only way we’ll survive.”
