Top Tri-Cities restaurant openings of 2019. And the closing of a few long-time favorites

Tri-City residents were able to indulge one of their favorite pastimes in 2019, checking out new places to eat.

From eclectic, locally owned cafes to fast food joints to local favorites expanding to new quarters, there were many options to try out in the Tri-Cities area.

That helped ease the sting of favorites that closed.

The Tri-Cities no longer has homey, family-owned Carmine’s Italian Restaurant in Kennewick, and Yoplicity, the Tri-Cities’ first self-serve yogurt shop in Kennewick.

Also gone are Z Pizza and Chico’s Tacos in Kennewick, the Tri-Cities’ last Qdoba and Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que at the edge of Columbia Center mall.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pits in each of the Tri-Cities remain dark after closing in June, reportedly in search of a new franchise owner.

But here are some of the new eateries:

▪ The Dive opened in north Richland at 2000 Logston Blvd., off Highway 240, in early summer, taking advantage of an outdoor patio.

It serves burgers and other hearty sandwiches, along with beer and cocktails.

“The Dive fries are suberb!” said one online review.

▪ West Richland got a new restaurant, The Endive Eatery at 4001 Kennedy Road.

It serves soups, salads and sandwiches, with a changing menu that ranges from gluten-free turkey tortillas to creative vegetarian dishes featuring ingredients like green curry tofu.

“New different food made fresh each morning, so the earlier you get there the more choices you have,” said one online review.

▪ Bite at the Landing opened this fall in the newly rebuilt clubhouse at the Columbia Park Golf Tri-Plex in Kennewick, catering to park visitors and golfers.

It offers views of the Columbia River and a menu by owners that know what Tri-Citians like. Owners Steve and Shirley Simmons are best known for CG Public House and Catering in Kennewick, formerly Country Gentleman.

The Bite at the Landing’s casual dining menu includes food like a short rib Philly sandwich, the Kennewick Man burger and street tacos.

It serves a lunch and light bite menu during its winter hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

▪ Dovetail Joint Restaurant began offering small plates in Richland this fall at 1368 Jadwin Ave.

The menu is eclectic, offering traditional quesadillas, ricotta and spinach gnocchi and African peanut curry. Pizzas are prepared in a wood-fired oven.

Craft beers, cider and cocktails are featured.

Its owners are known for starting and operating The Glass Onion, which had a nine-year, award-winning run in tiny Goldendale, Wash.

▪ The Richland Parkway’s ever popular Frost Me Sweet Bistro & Bakery completed a major expansion.

Owners Megan and Jason Savely doubled seating, added seats for the bakery and increased space in the formerly tiny kitchen. The restaurant was on celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s Tri-Cities stops a year ago.

▪ Koko’s Bartini mixes more than 50 kinds of martinis at 4309 W. 27th Place in Kennewick.

They range from the Starburst candy martini to a Cajun dirty martini with peppered vodka to a lavender cosmo martini.

The menu includes appetizers like roasted bone marrow and chef’s plates of seared scallops or pork belly burnt ends.

▪ Tokyo Sushi & Teriyaki opened in Kennewick’s Southridge neighborhood at 3617 Plaza Way is space previously used by Fredy’s Bar and Grill and Mai House Seafood bar.

The restaurant has a standalone sushi bar, plus a menu that includes tempura, teriyaki, pot stickers and some Korean specialties.

▪ Havana Cafe had a rough year, opening in April at 404 W. Lewis Street, only to close for about a month after being vandalized in July.

It serves up authentic Cuban food and has a reputation for generous portions at reasonable prices.

▪ Porter’s Real Barbecue, still savoring a visit by celebrity chef Guy Fieri at the end of 2018, added a Pasco location.

It opened in November at Road 68 and Sandifur Parkway. It already had restaurants in Richland and Kennewick.

▪ The owners of Foodies Brick and Mortar in Kennewick added Foodies Too at 701 The Parkway in Richland.

Foodies Too offers American fare, including five kinds of hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches that range from a po’boy to a BBQ pulled pork.

Veggie burgers and dogs may be substituted, and gluten free buns are available.

▪ Silos Sports Bar and Grill offers high quality bar fare and plenty of TVs playing sports for the 21-and-over crowd since spring.

Its menu lists burgers and popcorn shrimp and snack food like steak fingers, nachos, loaded fires and chicken gizzards.

Hearty breakfasts are served weekends until noon.

It’s at 12125 W. Clearwater Ave. near Interstate 82 in Kennewick.

▪ Southridge Dugout Bar & Grill, opened its third location in the Tri-Cities, this one in Kennewick’s Canyon Lakes neighborhood.

The 21-and-over restaurant offers full bar service, including regional craft brews and serves burgers, wraps, sandwiches, pizza and finger food.

▪ The Tri-Cities’ growing list of food trucks includes Thai Co. The Iron Wok., open Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7425 W. Clearwater Ave.

Try pineapple fried rice with chicken or salad rolls served with peanut sauce served daily, and additional dishes that change for each day of the week. They include drunken noodles and red curry chicken.

▪ The Tri-Cities’ first Del Taco opened at 155 Wellsian Way in Richland in the fall.

The chain restaurant offers Mexican and American favorites with a menu that ranges from burgers and shakes to burritos and tostadas.

▪ Chester’s Chicken began serving up fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits this winter at the new convenience store at the Dallas Road exit off Interstate 82 in south Richland.

The Alabama-based quick-service chain has about 1,000 locations worldwide.

This story was originally published December 31, 2019 at 12:42 PM.