Former Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap has decided to close his restaurant Honey Uninhibited in Covington less than a year after opening. According to his statement, the establishment served its last customers on December 8th, ending its brief venture into the local culinary scene.

Dunlap's business, which he started after his NFL career, featured a Southern-style menu, offering brunch favorites such as shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and a unique lobster truffle mac & cheese; it opened in June 2023 at The Towers of Rivercenter, hoping to repeat the success of his Miami location. Opening his second restaurant location in Covington, Dunlap mentioned that he was moving away from football and toward his passion for food. However, this transition has come to an unexpected halt.

The closure appears tinged with sentiment as Dunlap extended his gratitude to his staff and patrons. "This was not an easy decision for me. I'm incredibly proud of what we've been able to accomplish at Honey Covington and deeply grateful to my dedicated team and loyal guest who choose Honey," he said in the statement, which WLWT shared. He acknowledged the effort to adapt in challenging times, adding, "Unfortunately despite [our] best efforts to pivot and adapt [we] will close our doors with gratitude and pride in what we built together." According to Local12 News.

Dunlap, now 35, has had a notable football career before his venture into the restaurant business. After being drafted by the Bengals in 2010, he eventually won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 before hanging up his cleats. During his last year with the Bengals, he was ranked as the region’s ninth-highest-paid local athlete, ensnaring $10.9 million in total compensation. However, his success in the field didn't fully translate to the restaurant industry. The sad news of the establishment's closure was reported by multiple sources, including local channels Local 12 and WLWT and the Cincinnati Business Courier.