Bear Kitchen Wakefield: Customers 'gutted' as popular American fast food restaurant permanently shuts

Bear Kitchen, a popular American fast food restaurant in Westgate End, served its last customers yesterday (Sunday, June 2). 

The restaurant, which opened six years ago, served a seasonal menu with burgers, dirty fries and chicken wings and quickly became a top-rated spot for American grub. 

The team behind the restaurant debuted a special menu called The Bear Finale until they ran out of stock for its last ever service.

Owner Ben Atkinson bid his customers and the people of Wakefield farewell in an emotional video posted on the restaurant’s social media channels yesterday. 

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Fighting back tears, Ben said: “I just want to say thank you to everybody who has helped make this such an awesome journey. 

“It has been my pleasure, I absolutely love you all and it’s been absolutely amazing. 

“Thank you to Wakefield, thank you to everybody who helped throughout lockdown and I just love you all.” 

Customers shared their love for Bear Kitchen, which scooped Best Takeaway in Yorkshire at the British Takeaway Awards 2020, and said they were “gutted” following the news of its sudden closure.

A customer on the restaurant’s latest social media post said: “Really hope this isn't the end for Bear. There is nothing like you for miles around. But if it is, thank you for trying something new and for giving us a few years [of the] best burgers this part of West Yorkshire has ever seen.” 

Another customer commented: “Properly properly gutted you guys are having to close. I really hope there's a different venture in the future because guaranteed we'll be there. Loved your food and the vibe of the place. Really hope to be able to eat with you guys again soon.”