A Facebook post from Davis Street Fishmarket, an Evanston staple since 1985, announced the restaurant’s closing with a few choice words for critical Yelp users on Saturday.
The whimsical but biting post, which accrued hundreds of likes and shares, harkens to a time when “a gallon of gas was $1.09, and Nintendo was the wave of the future.” The post also claims the dining scene is now different than it once was in the city.
“We are fortunate to have had such a great run, and we’re extremely proud of it. The restaurant business has changed in Evanston; when we opened we were one of only a handful of restaurants, and that number has dramatically changed,” the post reads. “Nobody ever said the restaurant business is easy. It is a daily battle to keep your head above the water line. It’s also rewarding, creative, and enjoyable. Throwing a daily party for people is really fun. Now, it’s time to wrap it up and sell the restaurant.”
As for the armchair restaurant critics on Yelp?
“To the few cheap or negative Yelper’s (sic) who think your reviews have made you a credentialed restaurant reviewer,” the Facebook post reads before suggesting a farewell kiss — but not on the lips.
A voicemail recording at the restaurant’s phone number says the establishment closed Sunday. The owners could not be immediately reached for comment.
In an email, Wally Bobkiewicz, Evanston’s city manager, wrote that the city’s economic development staff has been in touch with the Davis Street Fishmarket owners over the restaurant’s closing. He wrote that there are already new tenants interested in the storefront.
Bobkiewicz also acknowledged the seafood staple’s mention of a change in the Evanston restaurant scene.
“[There are] greater numbers of restaurants and diversity of offerings,” Bobkiewicz wrote. “[The] challenge for existing restaurants is to change with evolving tastes and changing Evanston community.”
Facebook commenters expressed remorse over the shuttering of the business. Many also recalled memorable meals like the Marinated Mountain Trout, Northwestern and ETHS graduation dinners, and summer jobs at the seafood joint.
One commenter even mentioned marrying a Davis Street employee and that the couple named their child Davis.
Twitter @iamrichardray
