A Benicia Tradition Shuts Its Doors Today…But Before You Shed A Tear…

For anyone who’s ever eaten at The Shoreline Restaurant, Mike and Gayle’s Burgers-By-The-Bay or the erstwhile Washington House, today marks the end of an era.

That’s because when The Shoreline and Mike & Gayle’s close up later today, they’ll lock their doors for the last time in downtown Benicia, ending a 30-year legacy for the long-time Benicia restauranteurs.

Though, before you get too melancholy, city councilman Mike Ioakimedes and his wife Gayle aren’t leaving Benicia nor the restaurant business at all.

They’re closing their doors on First Street, yes, but plan to open a new restaurant in the Southampton Shopping Center several months from now, at the site of the former Country Waffles, near the entrance to the shopping center.

The new venture will be called Mike & Gayles Hometown Grill and they’ve set up a new web site for the restaurant, where visitors can stay abreast of their progress. They’re also soliciting menu suggestions, so if you have any favorites, now’s the time to let them know.

One of the trademarks of both the Washington House and the Shoreline location has always been the 100-year old marble soda fountain, a classic throwback to yesteryear that has been in the Ioakimedes family all these years.

From what I’ve heard, the soda fountain thankfully will remain a cornerstone of the new restaurant.

So if you’re hankering for a juicy burger, a Gyro, a plate of Spanikopita or one of Mike & Gayle’s famous breakfasts, if you didn’t get there today, you’ll have to put your tastebuds on hold for a few months.

For today marks the end of an era.

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