A popular restaurant seen on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives has shut for good.
Island Frydays is the latest Cincinnati business to have faced tough financial times and been forced to close down.
Despite appearing on multiple episodes of Guy Fieri’s hit TV show, the restaurant declared that it became tough to keep up with costs and they were forced to keep rising prices.
Leo Morgan, the owner and founder of the Jamaican restaurant, shared a heartwarming message to its patrons about the decision.
After opening in 2009, Morgan said that the restaurant served as a way to share his home country of Jamaica to the masses of Cincinnati.
‘As many know, the Covid pandemic hurt many small businesses, especially those in the food industry. While we found a way to survive, the economic impact across the nation caused food costs to soar, making it harder and harder to survive,’ Morgan wrote.
‘After pouring everything we have into Island Frydays, a decision was made to end our journey. This decision was not made lightly, as we know it will impact those on our team.’
With the holiday season fast approaching, Morgan assured his loyal customers that he had ‘explored every available resource, but we can no longer sustain it.’
Island Frydays was the latest Cincinnati business to have been in tough financial times and forced to close down owned by Leo Morgan (pictured left)
After opening in 2009, Morgan said that the restaurant served as a way to share his home country of Jamaica to the masses of Cincinnati
Despite appearing on multiple episodes of Guy Fieri’s hit TV show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, the restaurant declared that it became tough to keep up financially and they were forced to keep rising prices
‘When I started, I never dreamed I’d be allowed to appear on three episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and call Guy Fieri a mentor and friend,’ he said.
‘Let alone meet many wonderful people who saw the show, came to the restaurant, and dined. It’s been an honor to be part of such a great city, share my passion for great food, and have many memorable moments and connections with many of you.’
The restaurant was widely popular and even had Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval after it appeared on two of the Food Network show’s episodes titled Takeout: All Over the Menu and Worldwide Flavorfest.
In wake of their closure, Island Frydays is still offering their award-winning seasonings online and are toying with the idea of sharing recipes on social media.
‘Hopefully, when you visited Island Frydays, we gave you a little taste of paradise. Until we meet again, I send you and your families much love,’ Morgan concluded.
However, the restaurant, as Morgan pointed out, is not the first Cincinnati business feeling the pressure of troubling financial times or the first on Fieri’s hit show.
Virgil’s Cafe in Bellevue closed in 2015 followed by the Senate Pub’s Over-the-Rhine location in 2021, both appeared on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, December also saw the permanent closure of Rich’s Proper and Hangry Omar’s, Golden State Tacos, and Red Feather Kitchen.
‘Hopefully, when you visited Island Frydays, we gave you a little taste of paradise. Until we meet again, I send you and your families much love,’ Morgan said
The restaurant was widely popular and even had Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval after it appeared on two of the Food Network show’s episodes titled Takeout: All Over the Menu and Worldwide Flavorfest
‘When I started, I never dreamed I’d be allowed to appear on three episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and call Guy Fieri a mentor and friend,’ Morgan said
Rich’s Proper and Hangry Omar’s owner Bill Whitlow said he saw a significant decline in business during the past year or two.
He told the outlet: ‘I don’t know if it was the recession, but last year was the first year we had negative growth,” he said. Whitlow also pointed to the high cost of food and labor as factors in his decision to close. ‘We can’t sell a burger and fries for $30.’
Golden State owner Daniel Wright said part of the reason he closed was due to a lack of customers.
‘Over the course of the last several weeks, we’ve seen a massive drop off in diners unlike anything we’ve seen since the week leading up to COVID,’ he told the outlet.
Wright then made a plea for anyone looking to support their favorite local spots, to do so now more than ever.
He said: ‘If you have a favorite restaurant, bar, bakery, flower shop, boutique or any small business for that matter, please go out and support them this minute. All of them can use as much help as they can get right now.’
