BIZNOTE: Duke’s on Alki suddenly shuts down

(Added: WSB photos)

12:02 PM: Thanks for the tip. Duke’s on Alki has suddenly shut down – here’s the email announcement sent to customers:

It is with a heavy heart we share that Duke’s Seafood on Alki has sold and will be closing permanently, effective this morning (Thursday, April 3). This was a location-specific business decision at Alki only. We look forward to welcoming you at any of our 6 other locations: Lake Union, Green Lake, Bellevue, Kent, Southcenter and Tacoma.

More info to come.

1:03 PM: The letter posted at the restaurant has the same statement and a little more, adding that Duke’s is “extremely disappointed to have to do this, given the many challenges we were unable to overcome.” The letter does not elaborate on the challenges, but you might recall that the restaurant had to close last year for several weeks after freezing weather broke a pipe and led to flooding. Duke’s had been open on Alki for a quarter-century. As for the sale mentioned in the closure announcement, records show the building – once owned by Duke’s founder Duke Moscrip – sold two years ago, but nothing more recent than that is on record that we’ve found so far. We’re still researching.

5:17 PM: A spokesperson for Duke’s confirms the restaurant is what was sold, not the property, and that a new restaurant is taking over. Working on those details next.

lucy April 3, 2025 (12:49 pm)

Oh NO! Duke’s was awesome. SO much better than Salty’s for my out of town friends or special occasions. This is awful news.

HTB April 3, 2025 (12:57 pm)

Will the last business in West Seattle please turn out the lights

Josh April 4, 2025 (7:37 am)

Overreaction much?

Al King April 3, 2025 (12:58 pm)

WOW. Keep us posted WSB as to the story here. Speaking of restaurants any word on what happened, and what will be happening to the Alki Cafe site.

WSB April 3, 2025 (1:19 pm)

“What happened” was what we reported at the time – tenant evicted, restaurant closed. As for its future, still nothing on record, no public for-lease listing last I looked, and at least as of a couple days ago, the eviction notices and other postings on the exterior hadn’t changed.
- Mr.Watters April 4, 2025 (12:55 pm)
  
  These are the people that bought it: https://dosikbbq.com/ as reported by Eater.
  
  “Traditional Korean BBQ blended with a Buffalo Wild Wings vibe.”
  - WSB April 4, 2025 (8:04 pm)
    
    Yup, that’s who the spokesperson pointed us to. Talked with them today and story will be up shortly.

LJJ April 3, 2025 (12:59 pm)

This is incredibly sad. We were regulars at Duke’s, as it has been our go-to restaurant for many years. It is our tradition to park at Schmitz park and hike down to Alki to have dinner at Duke’s as a family. We had come to know the staff (who I am sad to possibly not see again). So glad we went one last time this past weekend (not knowing it was our last).

Maria April 3, 2025 (2:48 pm)

As part of the staff I can say we are all so sad and we will miss our regulars. Thanks for keeping us open for as long as you did.
N April 5, 2025 (4:22 pm)

Yes, sad to see Duke’s close their doors.

janelle April 3, 2025 (1:05 pm)

bro this was my favorite restaurant on Alki :( i’m still in denial ☹️ whyyyyy

Kathy April 3, 2025 (1:14 pm)

This is crazy. Dukes is such a great restaurant. Such a hardworking staff, and wonderful food. Our family and friends loved it too. Why are we losing all the great Alki restaurants?

Admiral-2009 April 3, 2025 (1:23 pm)

This is sad, but I suspect that there are going to be many more closures as the world economic order gets screwed due to an idiot in the other Washington. The first thing many people cut back on is eating out!

Adam April 3, 2025 (1:37 pm)

Definitely not a Trump fan, but pretty sure it’s clear he had nothing to do with this. Just read the story. Also, there’s many other reasons locally that many businesses have closed, as long as we’re talking about the impact leadership has on businesses. If we all just abandon blind ideology, we can fix problems caused by both sides, locally AND nationally.
Mental health professional. April 3, 2025 (7:02 pm)

Remember that we are all one and when you call someone an idiot you’re calling yourself one. Please keep your negativity to yourself. The world needs positivity always. This is coming from a mental health professional who wants to see the world be a great place for all of us.
- Alki April 4, 2025 (5:55 pm)
  
  From one mental health professional to another, that person’s feelings are valid. Shaming them is the opposite of spreading positivity. If you want to see positivity, look for it and change your perspective. For example, that person is concerned about other businesses in our neighborhood. It’s kind to care.

rmk April 3, 2025 (1:30 pm)

Oh man, where am i going to get my $34 2 piece fish and chips? I do love the food there, but their prices are really high.

HL April 3, 2025 (1:49 pm)

Sunfish is the best spot on the beach for fish and chips!
- AxK April 4, 2025 (8:27 am)
  
  Just tried Sunfish for the first time a couple weeks ago and completely agree. Still unfortunate for the general area for restaurants to struggle.

River April 3, 2025 (1:42 pm)

Loved having a pint outdoors on the upper deck. Such a nice spot to enjoy Alki on a sunny day.

Scarlett April 3, 2025 (1:43 pm)

There is no world economic order – it’s all a hyper-inflated asset bubble which some have benefited from and others haven’t. Underneath all the orderly markets is chaos, just like under the veneer of “respectable” society.

JTM April 3, 2025 (1:47 pm)

It was SO expensive and not amazing, and their menu was/is ridiculously huge. I have lived here for 18 years and maybe went 3-4 times total. Sad for the staff, hopefully they can be absorbed by the other locations.

Lisab April 3, 2025 (8:12 pm)

Agree, and never forgave them for what they did during covid.
- flimflam April 4, 2025 (7:25 am)
  
  Huh? What’d they do?
mariposa April 4, 2025 (8:42 am)

Agreed, I went once and that was enough to not go back.

Bubbles April 3, 2025 (2:10 pm)

View was wonderful though I thought the food quality was erratic. Going to miss the sourdough bread. Given the view, I’m pretty sure a restaurant can survive there.

HTB April 3, 2025 (2:10 pm)

Did Duke’s sell the building or the business? What’s going in there next?I really think business owners need to be held accountable for leaving consumers in the lurch and spaces vacant.

WSB April 3, 2025 (2:13 pm)

(a) As added above, they didn’t own the building any more. Duke Moscrip sold it in 2015, and the purchaser sold it in 2022. I’m trying to get contact info for the current owners, in addition to seeking further info from Duke’s as to whether they sold the restaurant.
OMI April 3, 2025 (2:57 pm)

“Dear loyal patrons, it is with heavy heart that we must say we simply cannot afford to stay open. If you were thinking about dining here anytime in the next couple of years, please scan this QR code so we can send you some money. Would hate to leave you in the lurch.”

Admiral-2009 April 3, 2025 (2:33 pm)

Adam the Duke’s closing is not a Trump issue, my reference was to what is coming due to the ill advised Tariffs, aka Trade War!

lucy April 3, 2025 (3:02 pm)

This makes no sense. The price of the Mexican prawns caused a great restaurant to close? Most of their seafood was local and they proudly promoted LOCAL ingredients.
- Bronson April 4, 2025 (9:09 am)
  
  And who is going to pick those local ingredients now? Who is going to be able to afford to go out to eat when tariffs eat household budgets and inevitable layoffs occur? Don’t be so quick to look only at the direct layer. All of this is interconnected and all will be impacted (not Duke’s in the more immediate case, obviously)

Vee April 3, 2025 (2:57 pm)

Sorry this happened, used to go for special occasions and for company until prices were TOO highAgree sunfish and seattle fish on california ave, may not have the view , but food good affordable and friendly staff

Alki resident April 3, 2025 (3:13 pm)

Ok let’s bring back Sambos or Godfathers , maybe something with a mixture of great family sit down foods.

Sparky April 4, 2025 (8:08 am)

First thought: Let’s have a defunct racist institution land there!Second thought: Hey, let’s put in a crappy chain pizza joint next to Christos, which has the best pizza in West Seattle!Third thought: Hey kids, get off my lawn!
Flap April 4, 2025 (10:48 am)

Seriously, Sambo’s? The blackface restaurant?

Matt April 3, 2025 (3:37 pm)

Sad to see it closed, I went there many times with my family and have great memories. Hopefully some equally appetizing place eventually replaces it

Me mama April 3, 2025 (3:57 pm)

Alki needs more housing density to support the businesses there year round. I’m not joking. That- or – the landlords need to charge less rent. It’s just not a well trafficked area 3/4 of the year….We will miss Dukes for sure.

Frog April 3, 2025 (7:17 pm)

Alki (like most of Seattle) is a high-rent desert, where people spend nearly all their income on mortgage, property tax, rent, utilities, and all the other mandatory expenses of life. Most people don’t have anything left over for expensive meals out. Increasing density won’t really change that.

AN April 3, 2025 (4:39 pm)

It was so, so mediocre at best and SO expensive. Better to save up for the quality, service, and beauty of Harry’s, Il Nido, Driftwood, Walter’s, and in White Center, Tomo. Mediocre just doesn’t cut it anymore. And Sunfish is by far the greatest!

WSRes April 3, 2025 (5:03 pm)

I was a fan of Dukes. Especially to take out-of-towners to. But I definitely will not miss their super loud exhaust vent that you could hear from the beach…

Derek April 3, 2025 (5:05 pm)

Now something better can move in. Duke’s was WAY too expensive.

Bradley April 4, 2025 (8:48 am)

Daniels Broiler, Jak’s, Met Grill, El Gaucho would be some great choices.

BuckarooSis April 3, 2025 (5:27 pm)

What a shock! Duke’s on Alki was my favorite go-to! They had the best drinks, chowder, salads, dinners. All while enjoying the waves, the beach, the Olympic Mountain Range. I cannot believe it. Yes, they were expensive, but what isn’t these days. They do their level best and have done that to the very end. I will have to go to your other locations now. Goodbye…so very sorry to see you go.

Linda April 3, 2025 (5:27 pm)

No problem, just head next door to mamas!

WS resident April 3, 2025 (5:29 pm)

Sad to see it closed. I would go there in the fall and winter when Alki is nice and quiet.

Gary Jones April 3, 2025 (5:34 pm)

Will miss this place where we had such great memories, in particular the unique joyous experience that was the late Bill Ranniger and his beer/wine pairing dinners upstairs. Recently the previous outstanding quality of food seemed to deteriorate a bit and everything became incredibly expensive. Best of luck to the rest of the Duke’s restaurants in the Seattle area.

AlkiOG April 3, 2025 (6:07 pm)

Regardless of opinion on food and expense, I’m saddened for the people staffed here no longer having jobs… I hope they had more of a heads up than today.

Fiwa Jcbbb April 3, 2025 (6:12 pm)

Sad to see Duke go, but this would be an excellent spot for a new Alki Tavern to bring back Taco Thursday Bike Night.

Pelicans April 4, 2025 (10:43 am)

Hear, hear! A newish dive bar among all the growing fanciness would be great!
- Gay April 4, 2025 (3:02 pm)
  
  Or a Jewish Deli. PLEASE!

Ryan Miller April 3, 2025 (6:12 pm)

I talked to one of the departing Dukes staff today regarding the closure. Apparently it has been sold to someone who plans to run a Korean barbecue restaurant there. Sad to see it leave here.

WSB April 3, 2025 (6:16 pm)

I have a request for comment out to the new owner. Hopefully we’ll have info soon.

E April 3, 2025 (6:20 pm)

I’m sorry to see Dukes go. They were pricey but good. An occasional place for us but I sure wish I could have gone one more time.

shed22 April 3, 2025 (6:25 pm)

Sad to see Duke’s go. A ton of memories dining with friends and family, particularly those out of town guests. I will miss their sourdough bread! Best in West Seattle for my taste. While I do love Korean BBQ (if the rumors are true), I will miss the Alki vibe of fresh seafood overlooking the beach.

JP April 3, 2025 (10:33 pm)

Totally agree on the sourdough. Best in West Seattle. With Duke’s gone, I think that title goes to Jak’s.

Jeremy April 3, 2025 (6:34 pm)

Nice spot but mediocre over priced food.

Gw April 4, 2025 (1:29 am)

If it can happen to a multi unit location like Dukes (that also own the building) think so many of your favorite small businesses are about to do the same. With the upcoming inflation on fruits, vegetables and imported beer and spirits. It is going to be historic.

WSB April 4, 2025 (1:54 am)

As noted in the story, Duke’s does NOT own the building. Duke Moscrip sold it a decade ago. The current owners are the second ones since then.

D-Mom April 4, 2025 (7:39 am)

So sad! I spent many birthdays here with my son having a lovely family dinner.

guitarguy April 4, 2025 (8:21 am)

I agree that their prices were getting pretty high…but I think that when they had the major flood a couple of years age that destroyed the downstairs area that had to be totally gutted and restored(which it was), they couldn’t recoup that damage cost. Add to that the high minimum wage and the factors Dukes’ mentioned and you had a recipe for the decision they made to close…for good.

What a great location it was to go to for dinner!

Pelicans April 4, 2025 (10:55 am)

Totally agree. They gave it a really good try. Went for my free b’day entree two months ago on a rainy afternoon with a friend, (which was sadly, unknown to us our last) and remarked to the hostess how great, fresh, and true to the original the remodeling was. She described in detail what was done. How many servers would know that and take the time to explain? Best of luck to you all, and thank you for some of the best memories I’ll ever have. Wish we’d had more notice so we could have said good-bye… Best, Betsy

OPEN...ANOTHER...HERE..! April 4, 2025 (9:26 am)

To DUKES: .. please locate another spot here in North Admiral to do your fantastic food and service! We don’t wanna lose you! Have you looked into where Alki Beach Cafe used to be? Also, Bank of America up in the Admiral district is for lease and has a parking lot.(used to be a restaurant a long time ago.) how about there?Everything about Dukes is outstanding: the food, the people and we just HAVE to keep you around here! Please find a nearby location ❤️❤️‼️

Mellow Kitty April 4, 2025 (11:01 am)

Oh man! Dukes was the best restaurant on Alki! It was our go-to for special lunch/dinner outings. I was never disappointed in the food, service or price. I truly hope the staff will be rehired at the new restaurant.

Gay April 4, 2025 (11:13 am)

Overly salted chowder. Followed by pushback from the server/manager. Bye.

Jennifer April 4, 2025 (11:29 am)

That place is overly priced. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

West Seattle resident April 4, 2025 (5:39 pm)

So many restaurants and businesses have had to close in the alki and West Seattle area due to financial hardship and the cost of rent. Something has to change.

Mike April 4, 2025 (8:08 pm)

Sad we really liked their late night happy hour and walk there from our house. A Korean BBQ will fail when winter comes and foot traffic dies.

flimflam April 4, 2025 (8:13 pm)

As a lifelong restaurant worker/cook/chef the current situation in our dining scene is troubling. Just in this thread alone you can see a big problem with the price/value ratio. Add to that the expectation of high tips on top of high minimum wages plus weird added charges retained by the business or otherwise, it’s simply an un enjoyable experience anymore.I realize this isn’t directly responsible for this closure but man, it’s not a great time on either side of the transaction right now.

KA April 5, 2025 (6:24 pm)

We’ll miss you, Duke’s! My faves from your menu: Ceasar salad, crabby deviled eggs, bloody Mary, clam chowder, fish ‘n chips, that Alki view and your warm, thoughtful service that always impressed our out-of-town guests. Thank you for the memories! Bon voyage!

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