Sandbar Mexican Grill, a well-known Mexican restaurant chain in Arizona, has officially closed its last location. The restaurant left a touching farewell note for its customers, marking the end of its service in the community.
Sandbar Closes Doors in Gilbert, Arizona
The chain's final outlet, located in Gilbert about 20 miles west of Phoenix, shut down on Monday, May 6.
On its last day, Sandbar Mexican Grill expressed gratitude through a note on its website. The message read, "Farewell Gilbert. Thanks for the memories," acknowledging the community's support as the foundation of its success.
The heartfelt note added, "Your patronage has been the cornerstone of our success, and we are truly grateful for the memories we've shared."
The message concluded with a hint of plans for the space: "While this chapter may be coming to a close, we are excited about what the future holds... Stay tuned!"
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Sandbar Mexican Grill Closes, New Plans on Horizon
Sandbar Mexican Grill, once a thriving chain with three locations, has seen its final outlet close. The Phoenix Business Journal described the chain as formerly flourishing.
Evening Entertainment Group (EEG), which operates several other restaurant chains, owns Sandbar. The closure marks a shift in strategy. In March, EEG replaced a closed Sandbar location in Desert Ridge with a new venture, Backyard.
According to The Phoenix New Times, EEG plans to retain the Gilbert location and potentially remodel it to accommodate one of its other businesses. Details about this new project will be announced in the coming months.
Les Corieri, co-owner of EEG, expressed mixed emotions about the closure. "Sandbar has had an incredible run here in Gilbert," Corieri stated. "While we are sad to see it go, EEG has always stayed at the forefront of nightlife and dining, and we are excited to reveal an amazing new venue right here in Gilbert this fall. We love this neighborhood and can't wait to welcome everyone back soon for the grand opening party."
The U.S. Sun confirmed that Sandbar Mexican Grill's disappearance from the dining landscape is not unique.
In 2024, several major dining chains announced a series of closures nationwide, signaling a shake-up in the restaurant industry. The U.S. Sun has reported on the significant impact of these closures.
Cracker Barrel has closed locations in Medford, Oregon, Columbia, South Carolina, and Sacramento, California. Meanwhile, Mod Pizza has made a dramatic move by closing 27 of its shops, many of which are in California.
Adding to the list, Frisch's Big Boy has also confirmed the closure of its restaurant in Covington, Kentucky. This series of closures reflects a challenging environment for many established dining chains.
In addition to these closures, J's Steaks and Subs, a once-prominent sandwich chain in Pennsylvania, operates only one location following its recent closures. The pattern of closures highlights a shift in the dining landscape as companies reevaluate their strategies and market presence.
In Ohio, the Two Bucks chain is set to close four restaurants, significantly reducing its operations. Meanwhile, a Chili's restaurant has permanently shut its doors in Port Arthur, Texas.
Further north, Friendly's has also confirmed the closure of one of its establishments in Ronkonkoma, Long Island. This adds to a growing list of closures, including a Pizza Hut in Glen Falls, New York, which welcomed its last customers at the end of March.
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