Asqew Grill Closes All Remaining Bay Area Locations

It's a sad day for kabob-lovers.

Asqew Grill, the popular local chain that opened its first outpost on Haight Street 13 years ago, closed its four remaining Bay Area locations today. Casualties include shops in the Haight, the Marina and Laurel Village as well as across the bridge in Emeryville.

At the height of its empire, Asqew boasted more than double those eateries, including businesses in San Jose, Union Square and Mill Valley. Troubles brought on by the recession forced many of those restaurants to close in 2009.

Owner Mark Nicandri told the San Francisco Chronicle's Inside Scoop that his decision to close his remaining locations was difficult, but that he is looking forward "to pursuing future opportunities in the restaurant industry."

The shuttering isn't the first piece of bad news to rattle the Asqew family. Back in 2008, the chain's co-founder, David Gogolak, was killed in an avalanche while skiing in Montana.