A beloved, decades-old Lake Dallas restaurant that recently staged a heartfelt comeback is closing again. Duck Inn Again, operated by Susan Howard, the granddaughter of the original owner, and her husband, retired chef Todd Mathis, has announced it will serve its last meals this Friday, March 27. The couple says the brief revival ran into financial headwinds, and they are preparing to sell equipment and recipes as they wind down operations.
According to Duck Inn Again's website, the original Duck Inn started in 1945 in Howard’s grandparents' house and closed in 1998 after decades as a local favorite. The modern revival began with hush-puppy sales at farmers markets and pop-up dinners, then grew into a storefront that opened in 2025 on Alamo Avenue. The site describes the comeback as an effort to connect the restaurant’s long history with a new generation of diners.
Owners Cite Rising Costs And An Abrupt Goodbye
In a Facebook post that the owners shared with NBC 5 Dallas‑Fort Worth, Howard and Mathis said “skyrocketing costs and tariffs” turned running the restaurant into a constant struggle to stay afloat. Howard told the outlet she hates it that the family legacy is ending again, while Mathis said they didn’t have enough money to continue. Regulars, who had celebrated the restaurant’s return last year, said they were blindsided by how quickly things turned.
Final Service, What’s For Sale And What’s Next For The Space
The Facebook post, also shared with NBC 5 Dallas‑Fort Worth, stated that “Friday will be goodbye” and that doors will open at noon on Friday and stay open until the food runs out. As part of the shutdown, the owners have placed kitchen equipment, recipes and other tools up for sale. Community members are already asking whether another local business might eventually take over the Alamo Avenue space.
Local Legacy And The Owners’ Next Steps
Duck Inn Again has been operating out of the old Lake Dallas City Hall on Alamo Avenue, a detail highlighted on the restaurant's site as part of its revival story. For many residents, the closure underscores how fragile independent, family-run restaurants can be in the current economic climate. Howard and Mathis say they will focus on closing out operations respectfully and on finding good homes for the recipes and equipment that fueled their comeback.
