Mount Holly residents learned via Facebook and other social media that Kitchen 87 will close it doors for good on August 21, 2025. Over 600 comments poured into the FB post and made clear that Kitchen 87 is more than a restaurant, its a beloved community gathering place. The posts were overwhelmingly positive for basic criteria like great food, speedy service and friendly staff who remember you and your preferences. But many posts went beyond the transactional, providing effusive descriptions of “family”, “comfy space”, “joy” and an atmosphere that people clearly loved.
I had intended to do a profile of Kitchen 87, but America’s Best Restaurants beat me to it [see link]. The interview featured Mike and Melo talking about their choices and the challenges of restaurateurs. Melo said that they specifically chose the Washington Street location because it was a bit off the beaten track of High Street. She explained how driven Kitchen 87 is to provide quality and eclectic creations that delight customers and how even one bad review can cause them to consider how something might be improved. Mike discussed the sense of community which grows inside the restaurant and how much he loves that. He discussed the draining grind of restaurant life, especially when so many things are created from scratch – a Kitchen 87 credo.
https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/new-jersey/kitchen-87
Unfortunately, my profile of Kitchen 87 must now take the form of a commemoration. What will stay with me about Kitchen 87 is the people of course - and the food - but so many unique things like the varied collection of coffee mugs. What strange mug will I get?
I marveled at the patron art on scraps of paper that were displayed on the walls. And the little signs teaching me life lessons like “Life is short, eat the bacon”. Or “You don’t have to be crazy to work here, we will train you.”
I will miss scanning the crowd for people I know and maybe joining somebody in their booth or just saying hello. My occasional talks with Melo about parking issues and what assistance they were [not] getting from the powers that be. And finally the random conversations that would strike up with strangers at the counter as we partook of a satisfying breakfast.
This place got inside me. And like anything you love that passes away, the loss hurts. There is going to be a hole in Mount Holly for a while. I only hope that what fills it will be as good. My closing could not be any better said than the Kitchen 87 post: Its “a place where you were only a new customer the first time you visited”.
If you have not been to Kitchen 87 yet, GO NOW! And I suggest you get the Huevos Rancheros, pictured above.