Rochester Says Goodbye to an Iconic Breakfast Restaurant

The saddest news this week in Rochester wasn't about another road being closed for construction or thousands of dollars of plants being stolen from the Peace Plaza (which did actually happen).

What's heartbreaking is hearing that a beloved restaurant, Cheap Charlie's, is closing its doors on July 31st. Many families, including my own, have stopped in to grab a great breakfast with the kids. It's not just the fact that it is a bit more affordable than other local spots...but its the iconic feel of a classic diner that, honestly, is disappearing from the Med City landscape.

Saddest News In Rochester This Week - Restaurant Staple, Cheap Charlie's, Is Closing

A note posted on the Cheap Charlie's Facebook page on July 7th shared the news that after 58 years, the Cheap Charlie's location at 11 5th Street NW is closing. Owner, David Tran, wrote the following note on the page to fans:

We are sad to share that after 58 years, Cheap Charlie’s will be closing its doors on July 31, 2026.
For the last 30 years, my wife Janna and I have had the honor of running this Rochester institution. It allowed us to put down roots, raise our children, and build our American dream. We served night shift nurses and patients from the Mayo Clinic, folks still in their Sunday Best, construction workers, families with kids craving chocolate chip pancakes, and everyone in between. It was about the food, but even more it was about the people.

When Did Cheap Charlie's Originally Open In Rochester?

According to the post, this classic breakfast spot first opened back in 1955 under the name "400 Cafe" by the original founders, Charlie and Vi Clark.

1968 is when the restaurant opened under the name we have all known to love for years - Cheap Charlie's.

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The Community At Cheap Charlie's Will Never Be Forgotten

In the note shared online by David, the one constant in the message is this...community.

...Janna and I have worked nearly every single day. We arrived at 5am to prep the meatloaf and pancake batter, opening bright and early for people who get the world running for everyone else. We have worked hard to make the most of this opportunity, and it has given us a lifetime of great memories. Cheap Charlie’s was the way that we welcomed friends and strangers into our home. And with that came exactly what you’d expect – wives calling to look for their husbands, transplants looking for community, people who needed second chances, and folks showing up just as they are. We accepted everyone who came in our doors, and they in turn accepted us.

Over 58 years, Cheap Charlie’s became a generational destination and community hub. Kids grew up eating our pancakes and eventually got married. They had kids and brought them to experience a taste of their childhood. Those kids grew up and did the same. Servers worked for us before moving on to their next opportunity, and when they stopped in to relive their positive memories, they’d pitch in during the lunch rush. Our regulars did the same. When we adjusted our hours to allow a slower start as we got older, one group of retirees got their own set of keys so they could still come in at 6:30am, make their own coffee and start the day.

Is The Pig For Sale?

The owners have worked hard for this community and now, it is time for them to retire. According to ABC 6 News, the building and the land have been sold. However, the restaurant's name and the iconic pig that we have all seen on the roof for years...those are for sale...just in case you want to help continue this legacy.