After 37 Years, Houston Italian Cuisine Icon Carmelo’s Calls It Quits

At the end of the year, popular Houston Italian eatery Carmelo’s Restaurant is officially calling it quits after 37 years in Space City.

Owner Carmelo Mauro announced the news in an email to his restaurant’s regulars earlier this month, and plans to shutter the restaurant after Christmas Day. “Thank you for the smiles, the joy, and the tears you shared with us. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your life,” Mauro said in a statement provided to Eater. “So many things have changed since the day we opened. Having been in business with partners down the road, opening in our present location on our own was a dream fulfilled.”

Open in Houston since 1981, Carmelo’s has long been a favorite of Houstonians for special occasions, but it certainly hasn’t changed much (outside of a 1995 revamp) as Houston’s dining scene has grown explosively in recent years. Back in April, an outpost of Carmelo’s that operated in Austin for 32 years closed its doors citing rising property values.

Carmelo’s will serve a buffet brunch on December 25, after which the restaurant will bow out for good.

• Carmelo’s Italian Restaurant To Shutter After 32 Years [EATX]