The Rise And Fall Of Lawton's Restaurants This Year

Even though Lawton got some yummy new restaurants this year, we also lost a couple of favorites. Some chains and local restaurants in Lawton shut their doors for good in 2025.

This year, Lawton gained a second Chick-fil-A location, a Hatch Early Mood Food and Lawton's first brewery with Southwest Oklahoma Brewing. And we're still waiting on Lawton's first Taco Casa to open.

While residents were excited about the new restaurants, there was still some mourning for the restaurants we lost.

Lawton lost local and chain restaurants in 2025.

In 2025, Lawton lost an Oklahoma-based Mexican restaurant, a local dive and other favorite locations. Some weren't a surprise and others took us completely by surprise.

This year started out with a shock: Lawton's Ted's Cafe Escondido location unexpectedly closed. Residents and employees were unaware of the location closing. It's still uncertain as to why Ted's in Lawton closed, and its location is still vacant as of Dec. 30.

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In March, Lawton officially lost Leo & Ken's. The local dive suffered a fire in 2023 and the owners had aspirations to build a new one in its place. But, unfortunately, the location was demolished this year.

Also this year, Lawton lost one of its three Taco Mayo locations. The Taco Mayo in Cache Road Square closed for remodeling in late 2024, but by 2025 it was official that the location would not be opening back up. This year, a new Peach Cobbler Factory opened up in its place.

Lawton also lost a local favorite with Beijing Restaurant and Bar closed on May 1 after five years in business. Although opened for a short time, the Asian restaurant became an instant favorite to many residents. Signs for a new buffet have gone up in Beijing's former location on Cache Road, but as Dec. 30, nothing has come of it.

What restaurant do you miss in Lawton?

Did we miss a restaurant that closed in Lawton this year? What restaurant do you miss in town? Let us know by messaging us in our official station app!

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