Specialty's Cafe Just Announced Sad News For Fans

Speciality's Cafe & Bakery wasn't a nationwide operation, but for folks in California, Washington, and Illinois, it quickly became a go-to lunch spot. Chances are good that if your office brought food in, it was from Specialty's. Chances are also good that if you took one bite of their chocolate chip cookies you fell instantly and deeply in love. Soup, salads, sandwiches, baked goods, coffee drinks — everything Specialty's made seemed like a — you guessed it — specialty of the house. 

But the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed yet another victim in the restaurant industry, and this time it's Specialty's Cafe & Bakery. On the heels of announcements from buffets Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation, who are shuttering all locations, and popular burger joint Steak 'n Shake, who is shuttering 57 locations, Specialty's Cafe & Bakery announced today that they will do the same. 

On a statement on the company's website, which now consists of just a landing page, customers in search of operating hours and menus are met with this sad news:

"Specialty's Cafe & Bakery is closing after 33 years of business. Current market conditions attributed to COVID-19 and shelter-in-place policies have decimated company revenues. Our last day of operations will be Tuesday, May 19th, 2020. Our customer service team will be reaching out to cancel and refund any orders placed for Wednesday, May 20th and beyond. We sincerely thank you for your business and support over the years," the statement reads.

The restaurant, which according to Pleasanton Weekly opened in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1987, has over 50 locations spread throughout the states of California, Washington, and Illinois. While 33 years might seem like a good run for a cafe, Specialty's fans will no doubt be devastated to learn that they'll have to find a new spot to get their ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies.