A popular restaurant featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives has closed for good.
Island Frydays is the latest Cincinnati business to hit tough financial times and be forced to close.
Despite appearing on multiple episodes of Guy Fieri’s hit TV show, the restaurant stated that it became difficult to keep up with costs and they were forced to continue raising prices.
Leo Morgan, the owner and founder of the Jamaican restaurant, shared a heartwarming message to its customers about the decision.
After opening in 2009, Morgan said the restaurant served as a way to share his home country of Jamaica with the Cincinnati masses.
‘As many know, the Covid pandemic has affected many small businesses, especially those in the food industry. Although we found a way to survive, the economic impact across the country caused food costs to skyrocket, making it increasingly difficult to survive,” Morgan wrote.
‘After putting everything we have into Island Frydays, the decision was made to end our trip. This decision has not been made lightly as we know it will impact the people on our team.”
With the holidays approaching, Morgan assured his loyal customers that he had “explored every available resource, but we cannot sustain it any longer.”
Island Frydays was the latest Cincinnati business to fall on hard financial times and be forced to close, owned by Leo Morgan (pictured left)
After opening in 2009, Morgan said the restaurant served as a way to share his home country of Jamaica with the Cincinnati masses.
Despite appearing on multiple episodes of Guy Fieri’s hit TV show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, the restaurant stated that it was becoming difficult to keep up financially and that they were forced to continue raising prices.
“When I started, I never dreamed that I would be able to appear on three episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and call Guy Fieri a mentor and friend,” he said.
“Never mind that you met a lot of great people who saw the show, came to the restaurant and had dinner. It was an honor to be part of such an amazing city, share my passion for good food and have many memorable moments and connections with many of you.”
The restaurant was very popular and even got Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval after appearing on two episodes of the Food Network show titled Takeout: All Over the Menu and Worldwide Flavorfest.
Following their closure, Island Frydays is still offering their award-winning seasonings online and is toying with the idea of sharing recipes on social media.
‘Hopefully when you visit Island Frydays we gave you a taste of paradise. Until we meet again, sending you and your families much love,” Morgan concluded.
However, as Morgan noted, the restaurant isn’t the first Cincinnati business to feel the pinch of tough 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 appearing on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
According to the Cincinnati researcherIn December, Rich’s Proper and Hangry Omar’s, Golden State Tacos and Red Feather Kitchen also closed permanently.
‘Hopefully when you visit Island Frydays we gave you a taste of paradise. Until we meet again, sending you and your families much love,” Morgan said
The restaurant was very popular and even got Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval after appearing on two of the episodes of the Food Network show titled Takeout: All Over the Menu and Worldwide Flavorfest
“When I started, I never dreamed that I would be able to appear on three episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and call Guy Fieri a mentor and friend,” said Morgan
Bill Whitlow, owner of Rich’s Proper and Hangry Omar, said he has seen a significant drop in business over the past two years.
He told the newspaper: “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 hamburger 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 few weeks, we’ve seen a huge drop 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 who wants 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, please get out and support them now. They could all use as much help as they can get right now.”