After More Than Two Decades in Fairfax, Carlos O'Kelly's Closes its Doors
The building has been rented by Herndon-based Piero's Corner.
Carlos O’Kelly’s is expected to close its doors by March.
Gian Piero, who owns Piero’s Corner in Herndon, said he hopes to open another branch of his Italian restaurant by April or May. He said he signed the lease to move into the building at 9959 Main Street in December.
The manager of Carlos O’Kelly’s referred questions about its closing to its parent company, which did not return calls for comment.
Longtime customer and former employee Mike Swinney said he was sorry to see the old Mexican joint go. He was one of the first hired in 1984. Swinney worked as a busboy and helped assemble the furniture that is still in the dining room. On graduation night, he and his friends partied at the bar.
Carlos O’Kelly’s is an Iowa-based company first launched by a couple of Irish guys in 1981 who wanted to open a Southwest-style restaurant. There are now 46 locations in 10 states, including the one in Fairfax City.
“I hope the neighborhood will welcome a new restaurant, a new concept,” Piero said.
Piero’s Corner is a moderately-priced Italian restaurant offering entrees and coal-fired pizzas for between $11 and $20. Piero said he will open as soon as the building undergoes some renovations.
“We have been paying visits to the site, we’ve applied for permits, it’s going to happen quick,” Piero said.
He also has plans to employ members of the Carlos O’Kelly's staff.
“We are very excited,” Piero said. “It’s good for the neighborhood, it’s good for the employees, but it’s also good for us so we can expand our brand.”
Rachael Dickson
11:53 am on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Oh no! This is so sad! Carlos O'Kelly's was the site of my 21st birthday party and where I took my parents after my graduation from Mason last year. I'll definitely miss it.
Sharon Chang
1:26 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Yet another Italian restaurant for the City of Fairfax. I believe we have more than a dozen now.
Sue Heath
1:30 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
My husband & I are very disappointed by this news. We had one of first dates at Carlos O'Kelly's, twenty-some years ago and we take our 9 year-old triplets there often. They love Carlos O'Kelly's! We'll miss it very much.
Jeannie
1:50 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Go to www.carlosokelleys.com and write in, with enough pressure they may consider opening a new fairfax location! Thanks!
Sarah
2:46 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Nooooo...this is so sad. I used to live in the neighborhood across the street so Carlos O'Kellys will be greatly missed! The queso and cheese crisps are among my most favorite foods.
Paul Nabti
8:18 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
I agree with Sharon. Nothing against Piero's. I'm sure its a good place and I'll probably check it out, but how many Italian restaurants do we need? What we don't have enough of is Irish Tex-Mex.
Lisa Allison
10:05 am on Friday, March 25, 2011
I too will miss Carlos O'Kelly's. They have great food and I especially love their chips and salsa! Maybe they will consider opening a branch somewhere else in the area, like Herndon or Sterling! We would definitely frequent it more often.
Pam
9:49 pm on Sunday, April 10, 2011
BIG MISTAKE closing down Carlos O Kellys! My boyfriend and I drove an hour and a half to have dinner there last night...only to find out that it was closed?!? And we weren't the only ones....there were about 10 cars pulling in and out of there and even people getting out to get look inside to see why it was closed :( I give this new italian restaurant a month before it gets turned into something else
Lauren Jost
8:45 pm on Monday, April 11, 2011
I am so late on this, but I can't believe Carlos' is closed!