Saying goodbye to a treasured restaurant is never easy. Here are the locations that recently closed their doors (or are about to) in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Broward County
Magic Cow, 10274 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs: This sugar shack founded by married Scottish owners Andy and Alison McKnight has shuttered its Coral Springs location in the Coral Place plaza. Known for sundaes, milkshakes, cupcakes, cones and rotating flavors of housemade ice cream (including Buttered Popcorn, Belgian Chocolate, Green Apple and cow-less vegan options), the Yelp-blessed creamery still has a location remaining in Davie. CLOSED: Aug. 21, according to Andy McKnight.
DoughBoys Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, 292 NW 172nd Ave., Pembroke Pines: This checked-cloth Italian joint founded by twin brothers Scott and Randy Greenfield has closed its Pembroke Pines location after 27 years. The restaurant served chicken Parmigiana, lasagna, Greek salads, fettuccine carbonara, overstuffed sandwiches, calzones, strombolis and many pies. The original 42-year-old flagship on Fort Lauderdale’s 17th Street Causeway, however, remains open. CLOSED: Aug. 27, per Scott Greenfield.
Rod Stafford Hagwood/South Florida Sun Sentinel
The front facade of Velvet Taco in downtown Fort Lauderdale. (Rod Stafford Hagwood/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Velvet Taco, 305 S. Andrews Ave., Suite 115, Fort Lauderdale: The first Florida location for this Texas-based fast-casual quietly closed after three years in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk enclave. Situated at the foot of the Andrews Avenue drawbridge, next to The Wharf Fort Lauderdale, Velvet Taco was known for signature scratch-made tacos such as Chicken & Waffle, Mediterranean Mushroom, The Cuban, Kobe Smash Burger, Quesa Birria, Beer Battered Cauliflower and Mexi Cali Shrimp — as well as for their WTF (Weekly Taco Feature), which offered a rotating lineup of innovative taste/flavor combinations. Velvet Taco confirmed the closure by email, and signs on the doors read: “Sorry for the inconvenience but this location has been closed permanently. Thank you for all your love and support over the years.” CLOSED: Sept. 6, according to social media posts.
Rod Stafford Hagwood/South Florida Sun Sentinel
A notice at the door announces the closing of Velvet Taco in downtown Fort Lauderdale. (Rod Stafford Hagwood/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Palm Beach County
Il Fiore, 9874 Yamato Road, Suite 114, Boca Raton: This Italian sit-down from chef-author Michael Monaco has permanently closed after a year in business, leaving behind a sign on the front door stating, “Sorry we are closed permanently. Thank you for your patronage.” The New Jersey-bred chef, who detailed stories of cooking for mobsters and celebrities like Frankie Valli in his self-published book “Cooking for WiseGuys,” served pizza and scratch-made sandwiches including the Valli (mortadella, stracciatella, pistachio pesto), plus many handhelds made with Tuscan schiacciata bread. CLOSED: Aug. 31, according to Monaco.
Robert Duyos / Sun Sentinel
Park Tavern in downtown Delray Beach will close after 15 years in business on Oct. 18. (Robert Duyos / Sun Sentinel)
CLOSING — Park Tavern, 32 SE Second Ave., Delray Beach: This rustic farm-to-table American staple beloved for its brunches is scheduled to shutter after 15 years in business, the restaurant announced on Facebook. “As we prepare to close our doors, we’re raising a glass to the guests, team members and community who made Park Tavern what it is,” the restaurant posted on Oct. 6 under a banner that reads, “Cheers to an amazing 15 years!” The eatery’s from Brandon Belluscio, Brian Albe and Anthony Pizzo, owners of Modern Restaurant Group, which also shut nearby Cut 432 earlier this spring. Only the Mexican restaurant El Camino remains under MRG’s umbrella. CLOSING: Oct. 18, per Belluscio.