Windy’s Sukiyaki is Closing; Sept. 26 is Last Night of Business

 Windy’s Sukiyaki is closing after more than 50 years in business. The Ogden restaurant posted on its Facebook page that Friday, Sept. 26 is its last day of business. Fans should head to to 3809 Riverdale Road to enjoy their last meal (it opens at 5 p.m.).

“We invite you to visit us this week to enjoy your favorite dishes and allow us to say good-by in person,” the post says. “Thank you for supporting Utah’s oldest Japanese restaurant. We will miss serving you.”

With its private tea rooms, Windy’s evokes so many memories for its long-time customers — proms, wedding proposals, anniversary or retirement dinners, family get-togethers, and more. Windy’s FB announcement had dozens of heartbroken FB commenters sharing their memories over the years.  (And, I have a history, too, as my now-husband and I went on one of our first dates at Windy’s.)

I interviewed Stacey Marsh in Oct. 2024, after she bought the restaurant from long-time owner Steve Farnsworth. She had already spent two months training with Farnsworth, working every position from washing dishes, working the fryer, rolling sushi and hosting, to give her some nuts-and-bolts experience in running the place.

Marsh is a former marketing and communications executive who worked in Europe and around the U.S. for world-class brands such as  Adidas, Victoria’s Secret, Chanel, Bath & Body Works and Fossil Group.

“After following my career to different parts of the world, I wanted to return to my beautiful hometown, Ogden, and become a small business owner,” she told me.

 Marsh had been coming to Windy’s since she was a child, and wanted to keep the same menu that long-time customers have enjoyed for so many years.

She expanded the hours, which had been cut during Covid. She obtained a full liquor license, invested in updating the building, and upgraded the point-of-sale system so customers could pay table-side. 

Her goal was to preserve Windy’s historic legacy, while upgrading factors that would keep it viable.

 But apparently, it didn’t work out. It sounds as if Windy’s had challenges similar to other restaurateurs who say they’re dealing with higher food costs, an uncertain economy and slower traffic.

The closure announcement said, “The decision didn’t come easily, but due to a challenging economic environment, we can no longer continue operations.”

I texted and mailed Marsh asking for more information about the closure and future plans. If/when I hear back, I’ll be sure to update this story. Perhaps someone will buy Windy’s and keep it going.

I have to wonder if long-time local restaurants are a dying breed. In the past few years, we’ve lost places like the Idle Isle in Brigham City, Graycliff Lodge in Ogden Canyon and El Matador in Ogden. It seems there’s always a host of new restaurants cropping up, and many people tend to flock to the new spots. But how many of the shiny new places will have the 50-year staying power of a Windy’s Sukiyaki?

  THE HISTORY: Windy’s Sukiyaki was founded in 1974 by Donald Anderson and his wife, Ritsuko “Windy” Katsushima Anderson. Donald met Ritsuko while he was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. (Donald passed away in 2022, and Ritsuko passed away in 2023.)

   Steve Farnsworth, a long-time Windy’s employee, bought the restaurant from the Andersons.

   “Don and Windy were really ahead of the curve, in bringing this tea room concept to Ogden 50 years ago,” Marsh said. “Steve maintained the authentic Japanese recipes that to this day are the customer favorites.”

  The restaurant’s namesake, sukiyaki, is a traditional Japanese one-pot meal, with clear “glass” noodles, fresh vegetables such as napa cabbage, carrots, snap peas, mushrooms, zucchini, and onions; and a choice of beef, chicken or shrimp, all in a slightly sweet soy broth. It’s served in a cast-iron bowl, with a wooden lid.

  The expansive menu includes a variety of sushi and many other Japanese dishes.

  And if you want to try any of them, this Friday, Sept. 26 is your last chance. I recommend making a reservation if you want to get into one of the private tea rooms,  (801) 621-4505 or Windyssukiyaki.com