Popular Livermore Restaurant Closed After 27 Years

LIVERMORE, CA — More than two decades after opening, a beloved Livermore restaurant has closed its doors forever. The Railroad Cafe closed suddenly, according to many regular customers.

Owner Jo Ellen Studebaker had recently been suffering from serious health issues and was forced to shutter the Livermore mainstay. Although the exact date of the closure is not known, the last post on the restaurant’s Facebook page was June 15. Studebaker could not be reached for comment.

Locals posted touching comments on the eatery’s Facebook page:

• Kathy Berger: “I am heartbroken to hear this news. We were regulars, and everyone there knew our names...they felt like family. I honestly have no idea where we will be able to go out to eat! This was the best restaurant in town, by far, with wonderful food and staff”
• Monica Mitchell: “I also stopped by for lunch today. You will be missed!”
• Mary Lou Carney Creek: “We were so sad to learn of the closing of Railroad Cafe. One of a kind! We wish Jo the best and she is in my prayers”.

Studebaker posted a heartwarming letter addressed to her customers on the door of the restaurant.

Dear Railroad Café customers,

I want to thank all of our loyal customers who been part of the Railroad Café family for the past 27 years. Those of you who know me, do you know I have struggled with serious health issues in the past several months. Unfortunately, because of those issues my doctor and my children made a strong stand that I had to stop immediately. I wanted to at least another month to say goodbye. Circumstances this past weekend cause my children to feel I was taking too big of a risk to do so. I do know that I should have stopped quite some time ago. My heart is broken that I had to leave and that so many wonderful employees are looking for work. I have wonderful, beautiful memories of so many of you. I will miss you deeply. I thank you for the support, the loyalty, and mostly the friendship for all these years.

Sincerely, Jo

The Railroad Cafe was located at 833 E Stanley Blvd. in Livermore.

On Aug. 7, another treasured restaurant will be closing in San Ramon. Customers are encouraged to stop by Ruggie’s for one last meal before they close their doors on August 7. Ruggie’s is located 3191L Crow Canyon Place.

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Photo courtesy Autumn Johnson/Patch