Can You Believe We Are Already Halfway Through 2026?
I cannot believe we are already in June. Half the year is gone and wow, a lot has changed already. One thing I have always loved about being in media is that you tend to get information about what is happening around you before most people do. And one thing I have a serious love hate relationship with is seeing restaurants close, especially when they are being replaced by places I am actually excited about.
I am a little bitter if I am being honest, because most of the places that have closed this year are spots I had not even gotten around to trying yet. But on the bright side, it does give me a very good excuse to explore whatever comes next. So let us take a look at everything that has closed in Evansville so far in 2026 and what is on the way to fill those spots.
The Restaurants That Have Closed or Are Closing in 2026
It has been a tough year for some Evansville staples and it is worth taking a moment to acknowledge that before we get to the exciting news.
Jaya’s Authentic Foods closed on January 1st after serving downtown Evansville for 45 years. The owner, Jaya, retired to spend more time with family. Forty five years is an incredible run and that kind of legacy deserves to be celebrated.
Applebee’s, both Evansville locations, permanently closed in February after roughly 30 years in the community. Whether you loved it or had not been in years, losing both locations at once was a big deal for a lot of people in this city.
Fazoli’s on Weston Road on the west side also permanently closed in February 2026. Another one that had been around long enough to feel like a fixture.
Señor Burrito Mexican Grillclosed its North Main Street location in May, though this one is more of a relocation than a full shutdown. They have indicated plans to reopen in a new location, so hopefully we have not seen the last of them.
Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill on Morgan Avenue shut down in early June, with the owners citing rising costs including utilities, rent, and labor. They released a really heartfelt statement thanking Evansville for nine years of support, and you could tell this one was not an easy decision…