Minnie Bell’s makes the move to SF and other recent restaurant departures

Berkeley restaurant closures

Gilman Grill

08.01.24: Gilman Grill’s last day was July 31, after “maybe 30 years or so,” shrugged a staffer with a smile inside the quiet, mostly empty, old-fashioned little restaurant on their final day of service (it was open for 33 years). “It’s been a good run.” The very visible spot at Gilman and Fourth streets was known for its come-as-you-are comforts in otherwise industrial-fancy West Berkeley — down-home plates of classic breakfast and lunch fare served with warmth and without pretense inside the square, diner-like dining room or outside on the patio. Because of area gentrification, the corner location’s high rent and recent persistent construction curbing business, the restaurant had to call it quits, according to a source who preferred to remain unnamed. Gilman Grill was at 1300 Fourth St. in Berkeley.

Jamba Berkeley

07.25.24: The Jamba smoothie and juice chain, nee Jamba Juice, has permanently closed its busy Bancroft storefront across from UC Berkeley’s campus. Though the shop is marked temporarily closed on Yelp, the physical space has been fully emptied and signage has vanished. Jamba was at 2514 Bancroft Way in Berkeley.

Za’atar Kitchen

07.11.24: Elmwood hidden gem Za’atar Kitchen inside the Berkeley Organic Market & Deli has permanently closed up shop, as discovered this week by a Nosh reader and falafel fan. The woman-owned Mediterranean business (in the market’s former Badan food counter space) had developed a bit of a cult following during its brief tenure and will be missed, though hopefully it’s not the last we’ve seen of that falafel. In happier news, already open in the space is newcomer and Brazilian street food purveyor Casa do Petisco from married chef-owners Barbara Nogueira and Christene Diehr. Za’atar Kitchen was inside the Berkeley Organic Market & Deli at 2462 Ashby Ave. in Berkeley.

Emeryville restaurant closure

Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement (Emeryville)

07.18.24: Chef Fernay McPherson’s lauded soul food kiosk Minnie Bell’s closed after service on July 28. The closure comes for happy reasons — after five years at the Public Market Emeryville, McPherson’s original dream of opening a brick-and-mortar in San Francisco’s Fillmore District, the neighborhood she grew up in, has come to pass. Though we’re happy for her, she and the fried chicken and cornbread will be sorely missed in these parts. Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement was at 5959 Shellmound St.

Hayward restaurant closure

Caspers Famous Hot Dogs C Street, Hayward

07.11.24: Storied Bay Area hot dog chain Caspers will say farewell to one of its Hayward locations on July 13. The family-owned hot dog chain with nostalgic, distinctive design and signage, first opened in Oakland in 1934, and the C Street Caspers in Hayward has been in operation since the 1940s. The closure leaves five remaining Caspers around the East Bay, including a second Hayward location on Foothill Boulevard. Caspers Famous Hot Dogs was at 951 C St. in Hayward.

Oakland restaurant closures

Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue Oakland

07.11.24: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of our Gyu-Kaku Oakland location,” said a new note posted on the chain’s website. “We would like to thank all our wonderful guests and awesome staff for the great memories. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. Please join us again at our other NorCal locations or around North America and the world.” Gyu-Kaku first opened in Oakland in 2021; the nearest local locations are in San Francisco and the South Bay. Gyu-Kaku was at 459 8th St., Suite A, in Oakland.

Souvenir Coffee (Old Oakland)

07.25.24: Local coffee company Souvenir’s pretty Swan’s Market coffee shop in Old Oakland closed after service on July 31, as announced on the busy group’s Instagram. According to the post, the closure comes before an upcoming new location, more details to come. (Souvenir also has locations remaining in Albany, Berkeley and San Francisco.) Souvenir Coffee was at 917 Washington St. in Oakland. 

Tacos El Ultimo Baile (Fruitvale)

07.25.24: Dominic Prado’s Tacos El Ultimo Baile Fruitvale Public Market storefront has closed after two years, but catering remains an option for fans of the immensely popular taqueria that began business as a taco stand and then food truck. (Note: The community-minded Oakland chef cooks frequently at local collaborations and events, is active on Instagram and is also running for Oakland City Council.) Tacos El Ultimo Baile is closed at 3340 E. 12th St. (Fruitvale Public Market) in Oakland, but remains available for catering.

Turkish Kitchen

07.25.24: Berkeley’s venerable Turkish Kitchen has quietly closed, part of the ever-shifting landscape of downtown Berkeley. Though Nosh could not reach management for details (or possible future reopening?), black window coverings fill the high Shattuck Avenue restaurant windows, the neon signs seem dark for good, and the restaurant’s phone and web presences are both down. As locals might recall, the popular restaurant from A La Turca’s George Baylar first opened in 2007, adding vibrant, specifically Turkish specialties to Berkeley’s dining scene; a second location, Turkish Kitchen Express, was opened on Telegraph Avenue in 2012, but closed after one year. Turkish Kitchen was at 1986 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley.

Wise Sons Uptown Oakland

08.01.24: The embattled deli storefront for Wise Sons bagels in Oakland has closed. San Francisco-based Wise Sons first opened in Oakland in 2020, soon after the company acquired Oakland’s indie Montreal-style bagel shop Beauty’s Bagels. The group kept the Beauty’s Bagel Shop brand intact in Temescal (and it is still open along with the San Francisco Wise Sons locations), but revamped Beauty’s second location to become the first shop in the East Bay to bear the Wise Sons name. Along with enduring the business troubles associated with the pandemic, the shop faced other difficulties, including two car crashes to its exterior and multiple break-ins. Wise Sons Uptown was at 1700 Franklin St. in Oakland.