RIP: Every Restaurant That Closed in Billings in 2025

As we flip the calendar to the final month of 2025, I thought now might be a good time to look back at all the restaurants that closed in Billings this year. I started writing them down as the closure announcements (or lack of) started popping up throughout the year.

Sadly, this list has grown much longer than I anticipated 12 months ago.

The restaurant business can be challenging. Perhaps a few on this list never recovered from the COVID shutdown fiasco. Maybe they struggled with staffing issues or rising food costs.

Families might be cutting back on dining out, or maybe the owners just wanted to retire. Whatever the reasons, here are all the restaurants that closed in Billings so far this year.

Read More: The Billings Restaurants We’ll Never Stop Missing

1. Don Luis

This family-owned Mexican restaurant was a Billings staple for many, many years. It was featured on Restaurant Impossible in 2021. You can catch my interview with owner Carmen Salazar shortly after the makeover occurred HERE. The lower level of the building remains vacant, and the property is for sale.

2. Sassy Biscuit

When they opened, it was a popular spot for breakfast, lunch, and brunch for the first couple of years. Eventually, things seemed to go downhill with reports of lousy customer service and lackluster food.

The space is now home to Rollhouse Bakery. We haven't had a chance to stop in yet, but their caramel rolls look amazing.

3. Wild Ginger

Prime restaurant real estate in downtown Billings remains available at the former Wild Ginger, right on the corner of Montana Ave and 27th St. N.

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The skeezy owner was sentenced in 2024 to 10 years in prison for sex crimes against employees. I wonder what happened to all of the colorful fish in their huge saltwater tanks?

4. Bin 119

This small but charming restaurant next to the Montana Brewing Company changed ownership. New ownership changed the menu a bit. Restaurant closed. The spot remains vacant.

5. Gusick's

If you enjoy old school, steak and potatoes with homemade soup kind of places, you probably miss Gusick's. While "Goosies" is gone, construction appears to be moving along nicely on what's coming: Doc Holliday's Roadhouse.

Doc Holliday's Roadhouse currently has locations in Williston, ND, and Galveston, TX. The Billings location and one in Des Moines, IA, are "coming soon," according to their website.

6. Buffalo Block

Originally built as the Rex bar in 1909-1910, the building soon became a hotel with the addition of the third floor. Famous clientele at The Rex have included Calamity Jane, Will James, Chief Plenty Coup, and Buffalo Bill. The Rex, as a restaurant, closed rather suddenly in 2017.

It was purchased a year or so later. After some remodeling and updates, The Rex returned to life as Buffalo Block. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Our fingers are crossed that someone will give it another run as a restaurant.

7. Sarah's Mexican Restaurant

This tiny, authentic Mexican restaurant in Downtown Billings seemed to quietly disappear sometime this summer. I couldn't find an exact date, nor was I able to confirm why they closed. Sad face... they had great food.

8. The Local

Owner and chef Kenny Rakstad told me that he was simply too busy to keep both of his restaurants running smoothly (he also owns Copper Onion Bistro). Fans loved the food at Local... it was nearly impossible to get a table for weekend brunch.

9. Feedlot

I know, Shepherd isn't Billings, but it's close enough for this article. The Feedlot opened in the late 90s and was a popular destination for a nice steak dinner near Billings. I remember making reservations, back in the day.

The Feedlot recently went under contract-for-deed, and was undergoing a renovation and name change when it caught fire last month and was destroyed. 

10. Craft B&B

One of the saddest things about restaurants closing is when employees get little to no notice that they're out of a job. My heart goes out to the staff of Craft B&B (and Pepper's Bar - same owners), which both closed overnight the first week of November.

11. Denny's

Billings had two Denny's locations. Then we had one. Now we have none.

Several restaurants in Laurel have closed in 2025 as well.

12. Your Pie

I live in Laurel, and we would order Your Pie frequently. I was bummed to see them go. The Billings location remains open, and the former Laurel location is becoming a Mr Burrito's location. 

13. Burnin' the Bone BBQ

Due to a lease dispute, this BBQ place had a relatively short run at the former Owl Cafe location. While the BBQ restaurant is gone, it is being replaced with a full-service restaurant, bar, and casino called Redemption Off the Rails. It's from the same folks who own the Redemption Bar in Ballantine.

14. The Cracked Egg (closing this weekend, 12/7)

This cute breakfast and brunch spot has been listed for sale. If you're looking for a turn-key restaurant operation, maybe take a peek at the details.

Did we miss any Billings restaurant closures in this story? Let me know so I can add them to the list. My email is michael.foth@townsquaremedia.com