More than two dozen restaurants closed in Fresno and Clovis in 2025.
It’s a lot, but not nearly as bad as last year, when at least 37 closed.
More chains appeared to hit hard times this year with KFC, Popeyes, Arby’s and more cutting back on locations in Fresno.
But it’s the locally owned ones that many Fresnans will likely miss the most. We lost some favorites this year: Javier’s, Maria’s Tacos, George’s Shish Kebob and Noodle Q.
Restaurants closed for all sorts of reasons. Three fast food restaurants, for example, closed to make way for projects involving railroad tracks and highway off ramps.
But many closed due to a combination of hard times: Customers cutting back on spending, leases expiring, inflation, rising minimum wage, rent and energy costs.
It’s not all bad news, of course. Fresno and Clovis welcomed 35 new restaurants in 2025. And many restaurants have already been replaced with new ones.
Fresno and Clovis restaurants that closed in 2025
Bulldoc Korean Fusion at Campus Pointe has been closed for months. Its liquor license expired at the end of November.
Carl’s Jr. at Blackstone and McKinley has closed, along with Taco Bell, as part of a project by the City of Fresno using eminent domain to funnel traffic below the train tracks.
The Craft House in Clovis closed earlier this month after moving down Pollasky Avenue from its original location into the newly remodeled The Third Place Global Eatery building.
Com Pho Bamboo at First Street and Nees Avenue closed and has already been replaced with Rice Barn Thai Bistro.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries closed its location at the Marketplace at El Paseo, where it has been since 2016.
George’s Shish Kebob in the downtown Fresno Galleria closed after decades in business. (The unrelated George’s Bar & Grill at Blackstone and Herndon avenues is still open.)
Helen’s Gourmet Chinese Food at Fresno Street and Alluvial Avenue closed Oct. 31, but is being turned into something new — a handmade soup dumpling spot called Dumpling U!
Javier’s Mexican Restaurant, a Fresno favorite, closed last summer after the founder’s death and almost 50 years in business on Kings Canyon Road.
KFC has closed several restaurants in town, including the first-of-its-kind on the West Coast “next-gen” smaller concept focused on mobile orders at Herndon and Spruce avenues.
KuniSama, the Japanese restaurant at Herndon and Willow avenues, closed quietly over the summer after more than 10 years.
Lime N Basil and its boba shop TeaZona closed their businesses at Bullard and West avenues in April. They were replaced with Okome, a fast-casual sushi restaurant, and a matcha and coffee shop.
Let’s Roll, the rolled ice cream business on Olive Avenue, closed its storefront, but continues to operate as a mobile business.
Maria’s Tacos, the brick-and-mortar restaurant at Clovis Avenue and Kings Canyon, closed after the original owner sold it someone new.
Mariscos El Centenario with Mexican food and banda music on Blackstone Avenue has closed.
Mitsui Buffet on Shaw Avenue in Clovis was supposed to close temporarily, but it hasn’t reopened since summer. A few months before, a cockroach was found crawling in the buffet food.
Neighbors Old Town Clovis closed in June, but was quickly taken over by a second location of The Lincoln Pub & Grub, known for its $5 drinks and food. Neighbors Tap & Cook House at Fowler and Nees avenues remains open.
Noodle Q Home Style Fresh Noodles closed its popular Asian restaurant at Ashlan Avenue and Fresno Street indefinitely, but says it is holding out hope of reopening.
Pieology Pizzeria at Campus Pointe closed without warning in the fall.
Popeyes at First Street and McKinley Avenue closed permanently, but locally owned taco shop El Premio Mayor has already opened in the building.
Popolo’s Pizza closed its Fresno location at Palm and Nees avenues in Fresno, but the family owned pizza shop is not gone for good. It now operates out of 37275 Avenue 12, suite D, in Madera Ranchos and continues to run its successful catering business.
Rally’s on Olive Avenue and Highway 99 closed in April to make way for an expansion of the highway interchange, including roundabouts for the onramps and offramps.
Round Table Pizza at Shaw and West avenues closed this year.
Straw Hat Pizza on Shaw Avenue in Clovis closed in September, but was replaced with Dosan Social Eatery by the same owners. It’s inspired by Sweet Tomatoes and the Silver Dollar Hofbrau, with an upscale cocktail lounge.
Taco Bell at Blackstone and McKinley avenues closed, along with Carl’s Jr., part of a project by the City of Fresno using eminent domain to funnel traffic below the train tracks.
Uncle Harry’s NY Bagerly & Coffeehouse closed its Shaw and Marks avenues location shortly after opening its new shop in Fig Garden Village.
Vyxn, a upscale dinner-and-brunch spot and dance club at Friant and Fort Washington roads, closed at the end of May. But it reopened under the same owner as Azara Supper Club.