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BIZNOTE: Taqueria Guaymas closing in West Seattle Junction (updated Sunday)

November 27, 2021 8:32 pm
|      90 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

ORIGINAL SATURDAY NIGHT REPORT: Another restaurant closure in the West Seattle Junction: Thanks to Kim for the tip that a note on the door of Taqueria Guaymas (4719 California SW) announced it’s closing December 12th. We confirmed it today. While those at the restaurant had nothing more to tell us, Kim’s partner was told they were given two weeks’ notice to clear out. We had noticed the building listed for sale a while back, and King County Assessor records show it has a new owner, an Auburn LLC that closed the purchase just last week for $1,650.000.

The purchase involved just the 3,100-square-foot building that houses the restaurant – and various cross-references led us to the discovery that the new owner appears to be the company that owns the Maharaja Cuisine of India restaurant less than a block away (which is a tenant there, not that building’s owner), so we’ll be following up both with them and with the Tacos Guaymas regional mini-chain that the West Seattle restaurant is part of.

ADDED: A further check of nearby records shows the same company, Virk Brothers Properties LLC, bought another building on the block – the one holding Pharmaca, Bin 41, and Flying Apron – in August of this year for $2.7 million.

SUNDAY UPDATE: A text reply from a Guaymas rep: “We do hope to be able to find a new lease nearby. But it is correct (we) were Informed a few days ago we would need to vacate by the 12th. We hope to set up a Go Fund Me account for our employees who we informed the same day of the need to close.”

TUESDAY NIGHT: Here’s the GoFundMe link.

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90 Replies to "BIZNOTE: Taqueria Guaymas closing in West Seattle Junction (updated Sunday)"

  • Sue H November 27, 2021 (8:56 pm)

    Oh wow, that sucks to find out that your business has to close in 2 weeks and all your staff is out of work in the middle of the holiday season. I’m so sorry that’s happening to them.

    • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:06 pm)

      Owner being paid good amount of $$$$ deal was made between Taquira owner and new building Owener from long time. 

  • Kersti Muul November 27, 2021 (9:14 pm)

    :(

  • NW November 27, 2021 (9:16 pm)

    This was the first Taqueria Guaymas  of the regional mini chain I believe back in the early 90s is when it opened the murals were painted by The Rivera Family’s Dad they lived in a house beside the 7 11 in the junction. I will miss this restaurant once it is closed they have been a local anchor in the junction for decades. Their other location closed due to vandalism along Broadway in Capitol Hill over the last year or so. Many of the current employees have worked there many many many years especially Teresa in the day time. 

    • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:32 pm)

      employee received good compensation everyone is happy . New resturant concept opening soon. Old employee may join the resturant. Everyone is happy. No one hurt

  • Nw November 27, 2021 (9:21 pm)

    Día de Guadalupe 12 de Deciembre 

  • Erithan November 27, 2021 (9:28 pm)

    This is so sad, they aren’t required to give more notice at the very least? The fact it’s someone who owns another business in the area too makes it worse… You’d think they’d have more respect for other businesses that have been here since forever, and are probably struggling too. Granted with Maharaja the people I’ve seen working there have not even been respectful to those of us living right across the alley. Rude to elderly and others, yelling at us to F off for politely asking them to quiet down at 1-3am and so on. They have also thrown things at our cars and the building, and smoke in large groups right under our windows. Management was just as bad, it makes me wonder if the owner is inconsiderate too.

    • Xana November 29, 2021 (8:00 am)

      Interesting and totally believable! 

    • Xana November 29, 2021 (8:10 am)

      If someone was smart they would open up either a 13 Coins or similar restaurant open 24 HRs or a restaurant with coffee, sandwiches, pastres, pies, salad and magazines that’s open 24 HRs and don’t tell me it wouldnt succeed, there is a place just like that in Albuquerque thats lasted 20 years called Flying Star Cafe. In fact I’m not sure if there still is but last time I was in New Mexico there was two locations but the one by the University’s always been open 24 hours or close to and is totally busy they make a lot of money off those expensive  magazines- that’s what restaurants here keep failing do -is some kind of gimmick just like that place on the corner that’s been changed five times now across from the 7-Eleven and just like the place on Alki that’s going to be gone by Christmas they keep changing on the corner by Starbucks. No pizzaz no finesse no personality. Just someone who’s daddy has deep pockets. So frustrating to watch when you know they’re not gonna make it. I’ve never been to this particular Mexican food place but I’m sure the workers can get unemployment really quickly  there’s tons of jobs everywhere I don’t know why they would need to set up a GoFundMe for them when there’s restaurants begging for employees right now. Don’t mean to sound cold about it, its bad enought about the paid parking in the back, I just worry about the junction. Isn’t there supposed to be some West Seattle podcast now? There needs to be one if not. 

      • Dana December 1, 2021 (7:07 am)

        Interestingly, 13 Coins recently purchased The Lodge. Reportedly, a new menu is coming.  

      • CH December 11, 2021 (7:56 pm)

        The owner of the Great American diner on the corner opposite to the 7-11 is a guy called Glen. An exceedingly nice guy and extremely hard working. Definately not someone who tapped into parents money to open that place, as you seem to be accusing.Perhaps you should go eat there and talk to him before throwing your generalized, speculative, opinions around.

    • nick November 30, 2021 (3:00 pm)

      it says right in the article that the purchaser owns the building maharaja is in….not the business, they are tenants. but good on you to take a minute to complain about a local business while complaining that they aren’t supporting local businesses.

      • helpermonkey November 30, 2021 (4:15 pm)

        actually, it says “the company that owns the Maharaja”  – not the owner of the building, which I assume is either Capaluto or Menashe since they seem to own the whole junction.  

        • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:09 pm)

          Yes company owned Maharaja and now they are opening new resturant concept. 

      • stacy watson November 30, 2021 (8:55 pm)

        It doesn’t say that at all

    • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:08 pm)

      Yes owner received good amount of money and employee being paid 2 weeks compensation. Both party is happy. 

  • John A. November 27, 2021 (9:37 pm)

    Maybe Taqueria can fill the vacancy up the street that Maharaja is creating when Maharaja moves down the street to this new location, thereby, the two businesses can switch places, and we will still get the best of both worlds!

    • Th November 27, 2021 (10:05 pm)

      The best of both worlds only if you’re male.  The last 2 times I went to maharaja with my partner they stared at her like she was part of the menu.  Not the most comfortable of places for a woman

      • Alyxx November 29, 2021 (4:37 pm)

        I’ve had that experience there – I do takeout from them a lot now, but when I used to go, I’ve had them argue with me about the spice level, ask me if I’m “sure” I want goat, etc. Unfortunately I don’t know of any other Indian nearby who makes most of the fried things with chickpea flour – I can’t have wheat!

    • John cambell November 29, 2021 (4:04 pm)

      Maha is not moving 

      • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:22 pm)

        No Maha is not moving, new resturant concept coming soon

    • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:10 pm)

      New resturant concept is coming soon!!

  • Derek November 27, 2021 (9:49 pm)

    Price seems really low for something that will be a cash cow for the lot alone. Sucks that it’ll lead to another demo and big ugly apartment when there’s other areas to build density like parking lots.

  • aa November 27, 2021 (10:04 pm)

    I believe the one in White Center is also closed.  

  • Yuk November 27, 2021 (11:01 pm)

    That’s super disappointing. West Seattle as we know it is done.

    • YeahOK November 28, 2021 (8:08 am)

      Because one mediocre taqueria is closing?  Give me a break.  

      • JM November 28, 2021 (6:01 pm)

        Obviously no one ever taught you if you don’t have something nice to say don’t say anything at all. Why don’t you go troll elsewhere😡

      • JLovely November 28, 2021 (10:13 pm)

        You obviously aren’t much of a local/your one of the shoobies that moved here because of the tech industry. But this location means a lot to the locals. We’ve been going here for decades and the staff has been incredible and food has never once and literally never once been bad. It hurts to see them go. At this point I’m team F*** West Seatttle. This place just isn’t West Seattle anymore.

        • zark00 November 29, 2021 (4:01 pm)

          I am also very sad to see Guaymas go, but claiming that West Seattle doesn’t exist anymore is quite the stretch.  Really the biggest problem with WS right now is people who keep freaking out and writing things like ‘I’m team F** West Seattle” now.  No true WSeattlite would ever type that.

    • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:23 pm)

      Owner received good amount of money, all the employee being well taking care by the owner 

  • Paul November 27, 2021 (11:21 pm)

    That’s a shame. I used to go there quite regularly though I’ve noticed they’ve had to raise prices quite a bit in the last couple years.

  • Michael Bloom November 28, 2021 (2:24 am)

    This is just sad news .  I’m not happy,  I loved this restaurant. 

    • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:23 pm)

      Owner received good amount of money and employee being taking care very well by taqueria owner

  • Meeeee November 28, 2021 (5:51 am)

    Noooo, their super prawn quesadilla is the meal of dreams!

  • Tony November 28, 2021 (6:04 am)

    Here’s more info on Virk Brothers. The company is registered to Santinder Sam Virk. Related links provided below.https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-virk-98609a7a/
    https://washington-company.com/co/virk-brothers-properties-llcVirk Brothers had dealings in Idaho as well.How about an interview by WSB with Mr. Virk.

  • MARIANNE November 28, 2021 (7:55 am)

    It was just a few years ago that the WSB reported that the owner was in some big legal trouble.
    https://westseattleblog.com/2018/03/owner-of-tacos-guaymas-restaurants-charged-with-theft-accused-of-not-paying-5-6-million-in-sales-tax/

  • Cogburn November 28, 2021 (8:39 am)

    Why isn’t the Council protecting businesses from eviction as well as those who refuse to pay apartment rent? 

  • D-Mom November 28, 2021 (8:40 am)

    Noooooo!!!!!!!  Such a staple and such yummy food!  I’m so pissed off that local businesses can just get evicted like this and livlihoods in tatters. I will seriously miss this place. 

    • Avid Bridge User November 28, 2021 (12:42 pm)

      It’s what the owners wanted, it’s in their lease agreement that they signed. Pretty common stipulation in any business lease. They may have been able to purchase the property if they wanted, like the coffee shop did a couple years ago. 

    • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:28 pm)

      It’s wrong information they are not being evicted, owner being paid good amount of money and employee being paid very well. 

  • wscommuter November 28, 2021 (10:22 am)

    Huge loss – really nice people who ran that business and food we enjoyed getting often.   Very sorry to see this business closed.  

  • HTB November 28, 2021 (11:43 am)

    Never understand why you kick a tenant out with no plan to replace them

    • Mike November 29, 2021 (10:40 am)

      One reason is to clear the way for major renovations or for re-developing the property. Commercial tenants don’t have the same degree of legal protection as do residential tenants here in Seattle  I will miss them!

  • K8 November 28, 2021 (12:01 pm)

    Our family is super disappointed by this news. I hope that the staff can find new work soon!

  • CL November 28, 2021 (12:48 pm)

    Will miss the Guaymas (food, horchata, hibiscus juice) & Manuel Rivera’s murals (Diego Rivera was his uncle).   & Th is right about the Maharaja!

    • AlkiBean November 30, 2021 (7:34 am)

      No way!  We’ve just returned from a vacation in Mexico City and saw his uncle’s incredible murals at the Palacio del Belles Artes.  I’d better get up there for a meal and check out Diego’s nephews murals with a new eye!  Sorry to see them go and feel badly for the staff being so close to the holidays.  Merry friggin’ Christmas.  :-(  

      • Sam Virk December 15, 2021 (7:16 pm)

        Owner received good amount of money and employee received good compensation everyone is happy 

        • WS Res December 16, 2021 (9:22 am)

          How many times do you want to post the same comment, Mr. Virk? Maybe you shouldn’t have given the business the boot on two weeks’ notice right before the holidays.

  • WTF November 28, 2021 (3:56 pm)

    Mary Christmas! 😣 I’m perplexed that the new building owners would give, what, two weeks notice to a long-standing business…with employees who have families to feed…during the holidays? Were they notified during he sale process this would come or was this a shock?! Wow, just wow! !Karma is real.

  • Seen stuff November 28, 2021 (7:10 pm)

    Developers profit from this, but why don’t they develop responsibly and respectfully? The city really drops the ball by letting developers rape neighborhoods for a buck. 

  • VargasFamily November 28, 2021 (7:16 pm)

    This news is very sad for our family and pray they continue business in seattle somewhere anywhere we will come! Our family has been coming to eat here for 20 plus years since I was in elementary :( my babies had their first frijoles here! The memories of our family gatherings and all the great people who worked there I will never forget!! Best food ever hands down in west Seattle. We will be popping in multiple times before they close. 

  • ThisIsDespicable November 28, 2021 (8:18 pm)

    I think the ghost of Marley should make a midnight visit to the buyers, definitely won’t support whatever business takes their place.

  • Laura Piccini November 28, 2021 (9:24 pm)

    This is very sad for my family! The Vargas familia grew up here getting the corn quesadilla and rice kids meal and taking our plates to the kitchen when we were done. Even as adults we have done the same thing! Really going to miss our Guaymas dinner followed by Husky’s after! 

  • wester November 28, 2021 (10:25 pm)

    Well, I guess the good thing is that we know not to support the jerks that own Maharaja. They’ve shown us what kind of terrible and inhumane people they are. I’m so sorry for the folks losing their livelihoods right before the holidays–it’s never good any time, but it’s especially awful now.

  • eric November 28, 2021 (10:58 pm)

    I’m trying to remember other restuarants that have come and gone.  Who remembers “Shakeys” where Taco Time now resides? Or the cute little Vietnamese joint where Lulu coffee is? Sunny Teriyaki?  Ratsuko’s, er , I mean Yasuko’s.  Charlestown Cafe.  What was the restaurant before Maharaja’s? Safeway/Rite Aid?  Remember Tradewell?  Guaymas was my kid’s first restuarant. I’ll always have the pictures. That’s the way it goes.  It’ll be a multistory building with a Starbucks, Subway,  and a Chipotle or something on ground level.   It’s what you voted for, thank the city council.

    • stacy watson November 30, 2021 (9:02 pm)

      VANNS restaurant 

  • Heidi Hutchinson November 28, 2021 (11:21 pm)

    This has been our go-to place for delicious Mexican food for many years. Fingers crossed they can find another spot in WS soon. Their staff has always been friendly and efficient. Thank you for 20+ years of great meals. 

  • Ajwren November 28, 2021 (11:38 pm)

    Damn!  Another WS institution bites the dust. Always great food and gracious service. RIP

  • CarDriver November 29, 2021 (6:56 am)

    Eric. We also used to have a Sambo’s which became Dennys and we had Skippers fish and chips.

  • StaceyDev November 29, 2021 (8:02 am)

    So sad! We had dinner there every Monday night while my kids were in school. And it was the first restaurant my kids every went to! Memories! Will miss it! Love the Chicken Verde! I hope they find a new home in the Junction!!

  • 22blades November 29, 2021 (8:23 am)

    Two weeks is a brutal exit to hand them. Because it may be legal doesn’t make it ethical to throw employees out on the street. During my career, I’ve certainly been on the recieving end of the letter of the law over the intent of the law. If you drive down California, you’ll start to see a number of stalled properties or projects (attracting vandalism/tagging): the old Swedish Clinic, the Hydrant, 5247, 5242(5248), 5252(5258) among them.

  • matt November 29, 2021 (9:05 am)

    Sorry to hear this. That Wet Burrito is bomb ! The fresh hot sauces too! I had a store in Queen Anne, owner gave me 30 days to shut down a 6,000 sq ft store and 30 employees, back in 2013. They gave my lease to Chase Bank while we were negotiating a new lease extension, was an uncool situation. Chase recently closed that very same location. Not always greener. The community will rally. Let us know how we can help. We’ll look for the go fund me. We good w sweat labor too. Matt Vaughan- owner Easy Street 

    • Rick November 30, 2021 (10:07 am)

      Hey Matt, you might remember me. Rick the Barber. (Classic) Was across from you many years ago. Have had to relocate several times (last two locations are still vacant). My next to last spot was purchased and new owner agreed to 90 day notice.  Gave me 20. Fortunately no employees at that time. But I’m still here. West Seattle sure has changed. Rick Cook-owner Rick’s (Pshychic) Barber Shop.

      • Matt December 1, 2021 (5:55 pm)

        How could I forget? I accidentally called the cops on you breaking into your own shop. Sorry bout that. Been following u bouncin around, good havin u on the strip after all these years. Got a ton of friends that been going to u for years. Highly Recommended! 

    • Tatiana December 9, 2021 (5:37 pm)

      Thank you that is too kind.  

  • Conjunction Junction November 29, 2021 (9:49 am)

    I hope someone steps up to take hi res pics of those murals, so they can replicate them as wall paper at a new location!   I lived for the super burrito both times I was pregnant!  What about the “hydrant” location?  Or naked crepe?

  • Mike November 29, 2021 (10:54 am)

    As disappointing as it is not to have this restaurant, one silver lining is: restaurant workers these days can get another job in a second, usually with higher wages and better benefits. All they will have to do is walk down the street.  I am more disappointed about the likely redevelopment, which will presumably look like what’s right across the street. Shiny and gleaming but with no soul. 

    • WSB November 29, 2021 (12:21 pm)

      Just to be clear, there is no redevelopment application. This is a 3,000-square-foot site, which would be awfully small to redevelop alone; the other parcel now owned by the same company/person is two buildings away.

  • Sillygoose November 29, 2021 (1:34 pm)

    Dear God when is the madness going to end and please don’t build any more condos!!  We need a functioning junction with something other than bars!!!!

  • Seaview Neighbor November 29, 2021 (3:14 pm)

    Wow, first Lee’s Asian then Kamei and now Tacos Guaymas. The West Seattle I know and love is disappearing. I ate here often and always appreciated the friendly staff. It’s truly appalling to give 2-weeks notice 2-weeks before the holidays. I hope the GoFundMe site gets up and published.   More importantly, I hope they find another WS home.  

  • Chris K November 29, 2021 (3:59 pm)

    Should’ve been the other other Mexican place instead.

    • AlkiBean November 30, 2021 (7:42 am)

      That ‘other’ Mexican place supports multiple families as well…and the owner has always been generous to the community and his staff.  They nearly all live within walking distance of the restaurant…can’t get much more local than that. They stayed open during the worst of the pandemic providing take-out and delivery food and it’s sad to see so many empty tables now days.  They used to be packed on weekends…I think there’s just too much competition any more.  Yeah, the food is your typical Jalisco style…not trendy…but the portions are big and the drinks are strong.  It won’t be that long before their building is bulldozed for new condos but they have a few years left.  Show them some support while you still can.

    • Ryan December 1, 2021 (12:24 pm)

      I am convinced this must’ve been some sort of disinformation bot posting, because who could ever dig on Puerto Vallarta?! That place is a community treasure! Lovely people, margs the size of your head, and prices that reflect what Mexican food should be, dangit.

      I am mostly amused by these comments from people that can’t abide by change. Guess what, the neighborhood was different before you were born or moved here too. :) I’m sad for Guaymas to go too but come on, embrace it!

  • Alyxx November 29, 2021 (4:43 pm)

    I am pretty sure that West Seattle (junction, at least) is becoming, like Ballard, the home of too many condos, not enough parking, and …. well at least the bridge will be fixed in a few months (hahahahahahahahahahahahahah)What is going to happen to the other things on the same block? Isn’t Pogie, Huskey Deli, Mashiko, etc. considered the same block/building?I am really sad. Also, I moved to White Center (got priced out of the good side of Roxbury, bought a house with a yard). There also – gentrification, suspicious fires, condos and high end bars/restaurants opening where it was just….local, multiethnic, wonderful things.

    • WSB November 29, 2021 (7:31 pm)

      No, they aren’t the same building. KeyBank is its own building, Pharmaca/Bin 41/Flying Apron is another building, Poggie yet another, this building yet another, Husky Deli yet another …

  • raywest November 29, 2021 (5:13 pm)

    It’s bad enough when a good restaurant goes under because business was bad, but it really sucks when a long-time, successful favorite just gets unceremoniously kicked out!

  • Genesee Five Points November 29, 2021 (5:23 pm)

    Taqueria Guaymas (if we’re being honest)

    Food = 6/10 — Staff = 8/10 — Not having to go to Taco Time, Chipotle or straight-garbage Puerto Vallarta for “Mexican food” = 10/10  

  • MrsShaw November 29, 2021 (5:25 pm)

    The shutdown of Taqueria Guayma’s  is indeed a true loss for The Junction. Maybe the new building owners other businesses are doing so well that they had extra cash to be able to buy the two non-adjacent Junction properties. Time will tell. 

  • WesternSeattlite November 30, 2021 (1:50 pm)

    I think next year would be their 30th year in the Junction. If they opened in 1992. 

  • WSB November 30, 2021 (9:40 pm)

    Anyone interested in the fund for the Guaymas employees, we got the URL via text tonight:
    https://www.gofundme.com/f/tacos-guaymas-employee-transition-fund

  • Dana December 1, 2021 (7:11 am)

    I just hope that it doesn’t turn into another Eastern Bloc architecture multi story building.  The Junction has such a nice, historical and neighborhood feel.  Greed over community.

  • Retired Don December 1, 2021 (10:20 am)

    I’m a little late to comment. Remember when this was a market?  Produce on one side and fish or meat on the other side.  And, some locals set up a Costco style chicken rotisserie joint. I still love W Seattle

    • Ryan December 1, 2021 (12:26 pm)

      Amen brother. 

Sorry, comment time is over.