Why Couldn’t These Restaurants Return to Owensboro KY?

In Owensboro and Daviess County, we miss things. I don't mean that so many things have gone missing that that's all we do. "Where'd I put that______?" "What happened to the______? It was right here."

No, we miss structures that used to house some of our favorite restaurants, stores, bars, and entertainment venues. It's rare that a week goes by that someone I talk to doesn't lament the passing of the Executive Inn Rivermont downtown. What a showplace it was until the wrecking ball did its thing in 2008.

It still kinda stings. Anyway, where were we?

Oh yes. The "new" hadn't even worn off of Bar Louie down on Frederica Street when it closed down. And I can't think of anyone around here who wouldn't love to see something done with old Towne Square Mall building.

But when it does come to wishing a certain business would return, restaurants are always at the top of the list. Owensboro has had its fair share of establishments go south and disappear, seemingly forever. But that doesn't mean they COULDN'T return, and that's only because the chains themselves are not defunct. Let's look at a few of them.

Tumbleweed

Oh how I miss Tumbleweed's grilled trout. Mouthwatering doesn't even begin to describe it. Honestly, I was a big Tumbleweed fan, but the trout was my favorite.

CiCi's Pizza

This will always be a gigantic head scratcher. Because it was a buffet and because it was so reasonably priced, it was great for families on a budget. Well, I don't know why I'm saying "was." The chain is still healthy, and the Evansville location is always busy. That's another reason why I can't understand CiCi's no longer being a fixture in Owensboro's Towne Square North. Somebody knows why, though. I'm sure of it.

Steak & Shake

I'll level with you. I was never a fan of Steak & Shake, but so many folks were. Whenever we've asked what businesses people miss, this old school hamburger chain always makes the list.

Waffle House

We had two of these in Owensboro, and then about a decade ago, or so, they closed. The proprietors had legit reasons, and that is perfectly fine. But it's WAFFLE HOUSE, for crying out loud. SOMEBODY could bring it back. Do you know that when I'm traveling, I'll eat at a Waffle House and regard as a luxury. "Scattered, smothered, covered, and chunked"...music to my ears.

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All of the above are still active elsewhere, and I have no doubt they closed in Owensboro for good reasons. But because of the first part of that sentence, they could absolutely make a comeback.