Some news just hits differently, and this one definitely does for Fresno locals. After 43 years of serving juicy kebabs, hearty plates, and memories that went far beyond the food, George’s Shish Kebab in Fresno, California has closed its doors. The final day was August 29, and for anyone who ever walked through those doors, it feels like losing a piece of home.
The reason? A tough mix of things. Owner Fred Ghiassi, who bought the restaurant in 2024, has been dealing with health issues, and the reality is that business never really bounced back after COVID-19. As Ghiassi explained, keeping George’s running wasn’t possible anymore.
A farewell message that touched everyone
George’s Shish Kebab announced the closure on Instagram with a message that hit longtime customers right in the feels: “After 43 unforgettable years, we write with both thankfulness and sadness that George’s Shish Kebab will be closing its doors. From our family to yours: thank you for letting us be part of your lives for more than four decades.”
You know it wasn’t just about getting lunch or dinner if you’ve ever visited the location on Capitol Street, right next to City Hall and the courthouse. It was about running into familiar faces, enjoying a home-cooked meal, and leaving feeling happy and full.
One of the employees, Alexis Notestine, told SFGATE that the slowdown in customers had been going on for months, even years. “We closed due to lack of customers,” she said honestly. The truth is, even places that feel invincible sometimes can’t weather the storm of change.
How George’s became a Fresno classic
The story of George’s started in the late 1970s with George Karoyan, an Armenian immigrant who came to the U.S. chasing opportunity and brought his cooking traditions with him. Fresno, often called the “Armenian capital of the Western world,” embraced him instantly.
By the 1980s, George’s was so popular that if you didn’t show up before noon, you’d be waiting in line. The Fresno Bee reported on its success when the restaurant moved to the Galleria in 1986, describing it as a sleek, New York–style spot with some of the most authentic Armenian food around. The ads back then bragged about the menu: lamb and chicken kebabs, juicy steaks, seafood, shrimp, and prime rib that had people coming back again and again.
But having specialty dishes was not the only thing that made the restaurant stand out, as there was much more that set George’s apart from the rest. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, or even a normal Tuesdays were you enjoyed with loved ones at that oasis. The people working there was incredibly nice, not only recalling names, but knowing exactly what you wanted to order, they remembered you.
Saying goodbye and holding on to the memories
Now that George’s is closed, the loss is about more than a restaurant. For Fresno, it’s about all the little moments that happened inside those walls. Maybe you celebrated your graduation there. Maybe it was the place your grandparents loved. Or maybe it was just where you went when you wanted a meal that never let you down.
SFGATE summed it up best: the combination of fewer customers since COVID-19 and Ghiassi’s health made the closure inevitable. But the memories—those are untouchable.
For Fresno residents, George’s Shish Kebab will always be more than just a restaurant, even though it no longer serves plates heaped with skewers and seafood. It was cozy. It was customary. Growing up here included it. The joy of sharing those kebabs with those you love and the taste of those kebabs will last a lifetime, even though the doors are closed.