Sad news that I did NOT want to have to report this morning, but Saratoga’s losing one of its oldest restaurants at the end of the month. Please read the full press release below:
Saratoga Springs, NY – November 4, 2020 – Ravenous Restaurant will be serving their final sweet and savory crepes and pommes frites at 21 Phila Street in downtown Saratoga Springs at the end of November. After 21 years of providing a unique dining experience to the Saratoga Community, owner David Zuka made the announcement Monday that he will be closing the creperie on November 30.
“It is with heavy heart that I’ve made this decision to close Ravenous and move on to my next chapter,” said Zuka. “I am indebted to this community, moreover, to the outstanding efforts of the staff who have helped me build upon the reputation of Ravenous since I purchased it in 2014. It certainly has been an enjoyable ride!”
A heritage of wonderful meals and traditional dishes made Ravenous an instant favorite among many since it arrived on the local cuisine scene in 1999. David Zuka co- purchased Ravenous in 2014. Zuka became the sole owner in 2018.
“Maintaining the restaurant in the midst of the 2020 pandemic has resulted in a restructuring of the business model to accommodate a new volume of take-out offerings – mission accomplished. Despite this regained stability, and the many pinnacles for the business over the years, I’ve decided to cease restaurant operations for personal and family reasons. Although a difficult decision, I’ve always preached and supported my staff in putting themselves and their families first, and now I’m following my own advice,“ said Zuka.
“In closing, I humbly thank our loyal customers for the opportunity to serve them and express my creativity in coming up with new fillings and menu items to tantalize and satisfy their taste buds,” said Zuka. “For some reason, they kept coming back. We’ve had a loyal following and I am grateful for their continued patronage throughout our history. My hope is that Ravenous provided them with a dining experience that left an impression that will be fondly remembered in the years to come.”
Ravenous, located at 21 Phila Street, has been downtown Saratoga’s only crepe restaurant, celebrating 21 years of business in October of 2020. For two decades, Ravenous has been known for and committed to sourcing the highest quality ingredients available, to prepare daily from scratch – crepes, sauces, pommes frites, poutine and house-made beverages.
Ravenous will be open through November 30 for lunch and dinner on Tuesdays through Fridays, and for brunch and dinner on weekends. Due to limited seating capacity, reservations are recommended. For more information, visit https://www.ravenouscrepes.com/
For inquiries about the availability of the business, contact David at [email protected].
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4 Comments
As a former employee, I’m devastated to hear this news. This restaurant has meant more to me than just a job. I connected with special people, patrons and fellow employees. I gained best friends. I supported my family. I ate well there. My children loved going there for birthday meals. A cone of frites picked me up when I was feeling crummy. The community relied on this business, no matter how close to the line it came during winter, or how far over the line it soared during the summer. The business waxed and waned as the moon, and I really think it could have survived anything. I’m grateful to Fran and Lauren, the original owners, who created such a special piece of Saratoga Springs.
I’m sad, and I hope a prospect with a big heart and a respect for tradition can save the goodwill and keep the doors open!!
What a beautiful statement about Ravenous, thank you for sharing! I’m hopeful as well that someone will swoop in and keep the doors open! Breaks my heart to think that such a Saratoga staple will be closing.
Damn. Just damn……
Sad to see it go. It was always one of my faves.