(Photo by author)
What happened:
After 43 years of service to South Padre Island, Ted's Restaurant is now closed as of the 20th of December 2020. After moving to SPI from Hermosa beach in Southern California, this property was purchased by Karen Kennett's parents, which later passed on from her brother to her. "I worked from '78 to '82 and started managing in '82 after buying him out," said Kennett.
Seen as a sudden close, Kennett explained that after settlements with her ex-husband she had to sell the property she's known since 1978. "15 years ago, I had to sell the property because of my ex. He asked for $1.2 million in settlements, and we were (the restaurant's business) worth about $650,000. I had to sell everything." said Kennett.
A group of local t-shirt shop owners purchased the property and told Kennett that she could continue to run her restaurant business, but later changed their minds with the intent to make the Ted's Restaurant site a water sports shop. "There are 5 different entities in that group, and I guess they changed their mind. I was not prepared for that since they said I could stay," said Kennett.
Kennett said that they were going to give her until the end of the year to close up. "I just bought a $10,000 walk-in freezer, a $3,000 new ice machine, a meat slicer, and a fryer." When asked whether the owners were able to reconsider in light of Kennett's over $10,000 in purchases, she said they still said no. "Oh, I begged them."
Why it matters:
While being a cozy breakfast/lunch restaurant with a delicious menu, many regulars (mainly locals) were very sad to see Ted's go. "There are so many people that come in every morning that just don't know where to go now," said Kennett.
Kennett preserved Ted's through hard times for the past 43 years, starting in '78 with nearly no business to having locals come in every day to enjoy her restaurant. "When he (Ted) left, there was really no business because there just weren't that many people on the Island."
Kennett commented that she was blessed to have her dad's award-winning, world-known fajita recipes. "We've been blessed by my dad's fajita recipe which has been known throughout the world. I have people from all over the world, asking about the fajitas."
What now:
Since she's been on the Island, Kennett reminisced that all her experiences had enriched her life and her children's lives, and considers her lifelong friends extended family. "I'm going to miss that, and the locals that have supported me beyond belief."
"It's been really rewarding. I'm so grateful for people like George (Block, POWC President)", who is one of her regulars.
After closing Ted's Restaurant, Kennett says she plans to have a big sale this month on the 27th to get rid of everything (silverware, chairs, tables, refrigeration systems, etc.).
Her favorite thing on the menu was migas and her father's fajita plate, which reminded her of him every time she ate it.
Kennett says she plans on still working for a couple of more years, has many options, and plans to keep moving. She enjoys riding her bike and wants to let the public know how grateful she is for them, "I'm grateful to have met so many great people, to have been supported by the locals, and the positive people in my life that I met here. It's been a complete blessing just because of the people. All worth it, I wouldn't change anything."