Back in January, we wrote about the long-time owners of neighborhood favorite Mo Better Burgers, Tami Bennett and Eve Fouché, who had just launched a crowd-funding campaign to get the restaurant over some challenging business hurdles. Sadly, we learned a few days ago that the funding effort did not hit the level they’d hoped for, and the mother-daughter team will be frying their last beef and turkey burgers this week.
According to Fouché, the restaurant, which has been around (in three different incarnations) since 1991, will be open from 12-5 p.m. today (Tuesday) and Wednesday, and will then close for good after Wednesday’s business hours.
“We are heartbroken and devastated,” said Fouché of facing the reality of the closure. “We never saw an end and we NEVER gave up. This has been a part of our lives. I grew up in the business and my mother has been in it since she was in her mid-30s. We are saddened that we were unable to…develop this location to serve our neighborhood more.”
Bennett agreed, saying, “It has been a joy to be in our neighborhood, to spend time getting to know more people and to watch many families give birth to their firstborn and watch them [grow up].” She went on to say that she has loved serving the community…both by cooking for people (at the restaurant and catering personal events such as birthday parties and lunches), and through other kinds service like hiring local employees (including, at times, homeless individuals). “The community has truly been a family to us,” she said. And while the final fundraising campaign did not succeed, “We are just grateful for all the support we did receive. We appreciate all the love. We will miss everyone!”
Fouché said she and her mother have not yet decided what their next ventures might be, but the closure will give her time to pursue other passions such as health and wellness issues, urban food development, and world travel…perhaps to places like Egypt, Brazil and Germany.
Even so, however, she said, saying goodbye is not easy. “We want to extend our deepest appreciation for all the contribution towards keeping Mo Better Burgers alive and in the neighborhood. We loved cooking for our neighborhood.”
I loved the place, they already served a great burger, but it couldn’t have helped their business that they always had a sign that said “CLOSED” in the window even when they were open. I know I passed them by many times before realizing they were open regularly
I’m literally in tears. And sooo pissed Im finding out a day late. I would have eaten there every day this week. There simply isn’t a better burger to be found.
Hey, Sasha – great timing! Mo’ Better did officially close in March…but we’ve learned recently that they’re back open and cooking on occasional days lately. Subscribe to their Twitter and/or Facebook feeds to get notices of the days they’re grilling.