A legendary eatery in the Wallingford neighborhood, Blue Star Cafe and Pub, has announced its closure via social media. After running successfully for 50 years, the Blue Star cafe will serve its last meal on February 1.
Iconic 50-Year-Old Cafe to Close in Seattle
Blue Star Cafe and Pub is an old and vintage-style restaurant sitting on Stone Way N, in Seattle. The restaurant is popularly known for its all-day menu, made-from-scratch dishes with high-quality ingredients, and its cozy atmosphere. It served local favorites such as Eggs Benedict, French Toast, Chicken Fried Steak, and eggs, and the signature Top Gun Scramble.
Wendy Morales, the owner and operator of the restaurant, shared the devastating news of the closing through social media. She said, “I announce this with deep and heavy sadness: the Blue Star Cafe and Pub’s 50-year Seattle legacy will come to an end on Sunday, February 1, 2026.”
In the post, the restaurant owner cited growing financial pressure and a lease issue as the reason.
Morales explained, “Rising operating costs, including food, taxes, utilities, and ongoing economic pressures, along with no viable lease succession option from the building owner, have made it unsustainable for me, as an owner-operator, to continue operating during this difficult economic time. After years of navigating these challenges without relief in sight, the decision was made to close.”
The restaurant extended a great deal of gratitude towards its staff, regular customers, and community members for their love and support.
“We hope our customers, many spanning multiple generations, can visit one, two, or a few times. We will continue to offer Happy Hour from 3 pm–6 pm and Monday Trivia,” the restaurant owner further added. “Our hours will remain 8 am–9 pm, and 8 pm on Sundays, through our final day.”
The Legacy of Blue Star Cafe and Pub
Blue Star Cafe and Pub was founded 50 years ago by Seattle local Leon Torrey and has since been run by generations of his family.
Morales shared, “From Eggs Cetera in Madison Park in 1975, to a second location on Capitol Hill’s Broadway, adding a few more in the 1980s, Sweetwater becoming a fan favorite in Redmond, and finally settling into Wallingford as Blue Star Cafe and Pub in 1996, my father, Leon Torrey, made his mark across the greater Seattle area.”
She also said, “I am the second-generation owner-operator, leaving my corporate job in 2009 to purchase the family business I grew up in.”
As the announcement of the closure was shared, several fans and customers shared heartfelt messages and cherished memories on social media.
“We lived in Wallingford for 19 years, and Blue Star was our local favorite- we moved in 2022 and are sad that the neighborhood will no longer be blessed by this establishment,” said one regular customer.
The closure of Blue Star Cafe and Pub marks the end of a long-standing era for Seattle.
