Restaurants in the OKC metro area that we bid adieu to in 2022

Over the past year, the Oklahoma City restaurant scene has seen a number of restaurants join the conversation. But, still feeling the after effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurant owners continue to grapple with labor shortages and rising costs. And, unfortunately, several locations have also closed, some after decades in business.

Here's a look back at the restaurants we lost in 2022.

Back Door BBQ, 315 NW 23rd St.

The restaurant in Uptown 23rd, from the same partnership behind Big Truck Tacos and Pizzeria Gusto, shut its doors at the end of July. Owners cited costs, including the rising cost of beef, though, they also said some of the spot's signature pastrami might find its way to the menu at Big Truck.

Jim's Famous Fried Chicken, 10811 NE 23rd St., Nicoma Park

This Nicoma Park staple was founded by Jim Moore in 1971 and was known for batter-fried chicken and rolls, plus an optional whole pickled jalapeno. Swadley's Bar-B-Q purchased the restaurant in 2014 and announced it would close the restaurant in early April, around the same time the scrutiny and investigation of its contracts with the state tourism department intensified.

Ingrid's Kitchen, 3701 N Youngs Blvd.

Ingrid's closed after more than 40 years in business, taking with it 100 years of local baking history. Though it opened in 1982, Ingrid's had ties to one of Oklahoma City's earliest Kosher bakeries, Irene's. The history of both shops is linked inextricably. Ingrid's eventually became known for holiday dinners and weekends of dancing.

Hollie's Flatiron Grill, 1199 S Interstate 35 Service Road, Moore

Another local long-time fixture, Hollie's Flatiron Grill, lasted for 10 years before it closed its doors in Moore. Hollie's was a Hal Smith Restaurants Group property and the location has since become the site of a new Toby Keith I Love This Bar & Grill, another Hal Smith offering.

Cow Calf-Hay, 3409 Wynn Drive, Edmond

Originally opened as The Mad Cow Cafe in Edmond by Brothers Brad, Gary, Mike and Aaron Blevins, who also founded City Bites sandwich shops, the name quickly changed to the Cow Calf-Hay. Now, the original location is gone, but a downtown location at 212 N Harvey Ave. still serves breakfast and lunch 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Steak the Experience, Chico Blanco and Yo! Pablo, various locations

An exceedingly hard year for Rogers Concepts saw the closing of multiple endeavors due to nonpayment of rent and other issues. Steak the Experience looked to bring an elevated Las Vegas style steak and show dinner experience to the metro. Chico Blanco brought laid back Mexican fare to Bricktown and Yo! Pablo offered fast-casual Tex-Mex staples like tacos, nachos and twists, with mashups like birria ramen.

Operator Jeff Rogers died unexpectedly Dec. 9, but all of the restaurants except for the Norman Yo! Pablo location shuttered prior to his death.

Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler, 421 W Interstate 240 Service Road

The classic burger joint closed two locations this year, including its Interstate 240 location, which opened in 1983. The Yukon location has been converted and reopened by brothers Rick and David Haynes as an homage to their mother with Pauline's Southern Kitchen.

Hi-Fi Burgershop, 301 W Main St., Moore

From food truck to brick-and-mortar and now maybe back to food truck? Time will tell after Hi-Fi Burgershop owner Bryan Neel, the original "B" in S&B Burger Joints shuttered his Moore brick-and-mortar. Staffing shortages and increases in operational costs seemed to lead to the shop's closing, but a Facebook post advised fans to "keep an eye out for us and our future."

Several more local digs ended their runs, including Centre Bistro (210 Park Ave.), Unwind Cafe (427 NW 23rd St.), Paladar Cubano (2323 SW 29th St.), Magasin Table (3 NE 8th St.), Gogo Sushi (432 NW 10th St.), Red Dragon Chinese (6501 N May Ave.), Gogi Go (Edmond & Midtown locations), The Union (616 NW 5th St.) and Norman's Blackbird Gastropub (575 S University Blvd.).

Farther from the metro, Freddie's Steakhouse (9999 State Highway 66, Sapulpa) is set to close its doors on Dec. 31.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: So hard to say goodbye: OKC metro area restaurants that closed in 2022