The Twin Cities’ Most Heartbreaking Restaurant Closures of 2022

It’s Eater’s tradition to end the year with a survey of local food experts (editors, writers, reporters, and a select few) about the highs, lows, and surprises of meals over the past 365 days. Today our panel looks at the most heartbreaking closures of 2022. Any thoughts to share? Feel free to add them in the comments.

Stephanie March, Food and Dining Editor Mpls. St. Paul Magazine

Kiefer coat! How can you live without bread!

Mecca Bos, Food Writer, Chef, Founder of Hidden BIPOC Foodways

I think most of us have become overly accustomed to restaurant closures during the pandemic, almost too accustomed to them. It’s great to see you working on your stable career choices.

Em Cassel, editor and co-owner racket

I think so many Heartbreaking losses were Sen Yai Sen Lek and Dipped & Debris. Mucci closing his Lyn-Lake store was a huge blow to me personally. Pert Wolf was a bar, not a restaurant, and I didn’t want to lose it. Also, don’t miss one of my longtime brunch spots, the Sheridan Room. But, sen yai sen lek… just thinking about it makes my eyes cloud.

Trish Gavin, Bar Master, Eat Street Crossing Beverage Director

As for the Khyber Pass, I can’t wait to see it in the hands of my family and the Bar and Cart.

James Norton, Editor and Co-Founder of the Heavy Table Newsletter

I know this is adjacent to a restaurant, but I have to say the closing of the kitchen window hit me the hardest. That’s where most of the stuff in my home kitchen comes from, and I’ve spent many happy hours wandering the aisles trying to find the next cooking alley to chase. The shelves also had the largest selection of physical items, and really have no equal successor – it was a unique nexus of knowledge, gear, and curation.

Ali Elabady, Eater Twin Cities Contributor

The closure of Kiefer Court and Kyber Pass Cafe was particularly heartbreaking. The closure of Keefer Court was, of course, necessary, but Khyber Pass was and will always be a special establishment.

Alex Lodner, Eater Twin Cities Contributor

I’m not going to pretend I’ve been to Williams this decade, or the last decade, but it was a shocker. Like Nye, it’s just one of those places you always thought was there.

Eater Twin Cities Editor Justin Jones

For me it’s a tie. Sen Yai Sen Lek was a special place. I had to be there for the last night of service, and ugh, tears were streaming everywhere. and a great example of how a restaurant can become a home. For 40 years, Kiefer Court in Cedar Riverside has been the same warm, down-to-earth neighborhood staple. I am so happy to see Paulina, Sunny and Michelle Kwan move on to something new.But I can’t overstate how much of a loss it is.The homemade mooncakes and egg tarts are all treasures. .