I heard rumors that the Keywester closed its doors for good… I was very sad to find out that the rumors are, in fact, true.
The Keywester has been a staple for great seafood since it opened in 1996 along Route 59 just south of Aurora Avenue. The restaurant was owned by Portillo’s (yes, the hot dog Portillo’s company) and the interior was designed hands-on by Dick Portillo himself.
It’s a real shame, but the reasons for the abrupt closing last Tuesday, make good business sense. The restaurant business is tough one in succeed in in a great economy, but is terribly difficult in a tough economy such as this. The price of fish and other seafood has skyrocketed in the past several years, and even more since the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. People simply don’t have the disposable income right now to pay for high-priced, quality seafood.
RIP Keywester… I know I’ll miss you.
