All the Cleveland Restaurants That Have Closed in 2023

Rising Grill

3709 Payne Ave.., Cleveland

Korean BBQ fans were crushed to learn that Rising Grill in Cleveland’s Asiatown neighborhood had closed in early July. The popular restaurant moved into the former Seoul Hot Pot building in 2018, bringing with it some much needed improvements and consistency. In addition to staples like mandu, seafood pancakes, bibimbap, kimchi soup with pork, fish roe stew with tofu, and seolleongtang, Rising Grill was beloved for its communal grill tables. Items ranged from marinated boneless chicken breast and the ever-popular bulgogi and kalbi on up to combination platters starring a variety of meats and seafood. All we know for now is that management is in search of a new location. Attempts to acquire additional information have been unsuccessful.

Campus Pollyeyes

12308 Mayfield Rd.., Cleveland

Campus Pollyeyes, the “world-famous” stuffed breadstick restaurant founded in Bowling Green, closed its Little Italy location in July after four months. The attractive fast-casual eatery opened its doors in early March. But, as they say, one man's loss is another man's gain. In this case, the man in the plus column is Jeff Fisher, who made a name for himself at Touch Supper Club and Crust. In 2019, Fisher opened Salted Dough (9174 Broadview Rd.) in Broadview Heights and has been doing brisk business ever since. Like his four-year-old flagship, the Little Italy Salted Dough will offer Fisher’s excellent pizza, but also a broader menu of American and Italian selections.

Taco Roosters

1825 Coventry Rd., Cleveland

By management’s own admission, Taco Roosters was a failed experiment. The restaurant, located in the former Panini’s Grill space on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights, closed in July after nearly two years. The Mexican theme didn’t align with the restaurant group’s area of expertise, which includes Asian eateries like Seafood Shake across the street. So owner Hangchun Zheng decided not only to close the restaurant and re-concept the property, but also to completely start from scratch. The prominent building, long ago home to Hyde Park Grille and Sal & Angelo’s, is being taken down to its shell. Come fall, the space will reopen as One Pot Korean BBQ and Hot Pot.

Truman’s 216

512 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Truman's 216 in the Flats East Bank closed its doors at the end of July. The spot, which previously housed Flipside, was named after Jillian Wolstein's bulldog. No word yet on what will come next.

Smokin Mary’s

34173 Center Ridge Rd., North Ridgeville

Smokin' Mary's, the “Tex Mex-style” barbecue joint in North Ridgeville from Wil and Julie Novak, closed this July. We are grateful for our time in North Ridgeville, but all good things come to an end. [The city] will have the pleasure of welcoming a seasoned restaurateur with a new concept in our former location," they said in a statement. "We wish them much success in their new endeavor. For all of our rib lovers, we will be adding them to the Hail Mary's menu, come see us down the road." Indeed, the pair's Hail Mary's and Salty Mary's in Westlake are very much alive and well.

Parallax

2179 W. 11th St.., Cleveland

Despite loose assurances to the contrary, Zack and Julian Bruell will not be reopening Parallax, the Tremont restaurant that closed last November after 18 years. But it will soon have new life and new operators. The trio of Terry Francona, Jason Beudert and Chelsea Williams – still riding high off their recent successes at Geraci’s Slice Shop in downtown Cleveland – have signed a lease to take over the iconic space. The budding restaurant group plans to open a unique steakhouse concept called STEAK early next year.

James Place

271 E. Garfield Rd., Aurora

After a false start in Chagrin Falls, Michael Grieve finally found a home for his long-planned seafood restaurant, Rockfish. The chef, formerly of Tartine Bistro in Rocky River and The Grocery café and market in Ohio City, took over the property long home to James Place in Aurora. James Place was a popular wine bar and bistro that opened in 2007 and closed over the summer. Unfortunately, Rockfish was also short-lived, closing in November after just three months.

Deagan’s

14810 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

After 13 years in business, Dan Deagan sold Deagan's Kitchen and Bar in Lakewood this summer. When it opened in 2010, the restaurant was one of the first and best gastropubs in the region. Thanks to chefs like Demetrios Atheneos, Tim Bando, Ryan Kaston and Chris Kafcsak, the restaurant managed to stay relevant and admired in an increasingly crowded market. Deagan, of course, went on to open Humble Wine Bar, Lakewood Truck Park and Beachwood Truck Park, which prompted his search for an appropriate buyer for his beloved concept. He found a buyer in Eric Ho, who runs the exceptional cocktail bar and restaurant LBM in Lakewood with a group of industry veterans. Ho said that when he learned Deagan’s was for sale, he eagerly pursued the opportunity. As for his plans for the restaurant, Ho says diners can expect a new name but similar concept.

North High Brewing

2814 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Columbus-based North High Brewing planted a flag in Ohio City two summer ago. In September, management announced that it would cease operations. Founded in 2011, the brewery began as a brew-on-premise operation before hiring brewmaster Jason McKibben in 2014. Since then, North High expanded beyond its initial flagship in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus to a full production brewery with taprooms in Dublin, Springfield, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. A Beachwood location at Beachwood Place closed in 2022.

Edison’s Next Door Pizza

2365 Professor Ave., Cleveland

Edison's Next Door Pizza, which opened in the space next door to Edison's Pub two months ago, closed in late September. Not to be confused with Edison's Pizza Kitchen, which exited that space earlier this year after 15 years, Edison’s Next Door was operated by Pete LaGrange, son of property (and pub) owner Mark LaGrange. After decamping that space earlier this year, Edison's Pizza Kitchen planned to open a standalone pizzeria on Kenilworth, but that project is now dead. You can still find "the original Edison's pizza" inside some Lucky’s Market and Dave’s Markets.