‘Please come back.’ Bellingham’s closed-down restaurants that locals miss the most
The Bellingham Herald asked readers which restaurants they missed the most, whether it closed years ago or last week.
The online survey received over 160 responses as Bellingham locals recalled their favorite closed restaurants, their dishes, drinks and experiences.
Here are a few of the restaurants that received the most mentions in our survey, and why readers miss them so much:
Rocket Donuts was known for its delicious sweets, as well as its whimsical metal rocket sculpture in downtown Bellingham.
Rocket Donuts closed in Sept. 2019 after 15 years of business at two Bellingham locations. The beloved spot served a variety of donuts, cakes, cinnamon rolls and drinks.
“Favorite doughnut place in the world:( got proposed to at your location next to fat pie pizza. Best memories ever there. thank you for existing,” a Facebook user commented on the company’s last post on Sept. 2, 2019.
Since the doughnut shop closed, its rocket sculpture returned to Bellingham in Nov. 2022.
Fat Pie Pizza, a restaurant that served traditional Chicago deep dish and Brooklyn and Detroit pan-pizza closed its doors Sept. 12, 2021.
The popular pizza restaurant in Fairhaven did not give a reason for their closing but shocked many loyal customers with the sudden announcement in 2021.
“This is heartbreaking. My family and I were only ever able to visit your fine establishment once as we live over 2500 miles away ... My kids still talk about your pizza and we always swore to return again. So sad that’ll never happen. Thanks for the best pizza I’ve ever had anywhere on the planet,” a Facebook user commented on the restaurant’s post Aug. 23, 2021 that announced the closure.
Casa Que Pasa, a beloved Mexican restaurant in downtown Bellingham, closed its doors after almost 30 years of business in 2021.
The “Bellingham landmark” announced its closure in a Facebook post, stating the closure was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Facebook post received 447 comments as many customers mourned the closure.
“NOOOOOOO!!!! Please come back if you are able (to),” one Facebook user commented.
“This makes me so sad. I grew up in Bellingham, eating at casa for years. I wish I could come for one last meal and a bowl of potato sauce ... Thank you for being such a staple in the community. I’ve sent many people to you from Seattle. I’ve come there on days that comfort was needed,” another Facebook user commented.
This story was originally published November 18, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
