A loved Liverpool restaurant that was known for its trademark ribs and giving free birthday meals is still missed by customers today.
Last week, the ECHO took a look back at Damon's in Speke, which served everything from ribs and burgers to seafood dishes and more for years. A popular place for families to celebrate special occasions, Damon's wasn't just a Liverpool thing and had branches in the US and elsewhere in the UK.
Damon’s began life in America in 1979 when its founder, Mr Irv Rossman, opened the first restaurant in East Columbus. The brand later opened restaurants in North Columbus and Indianapolis before going international in 1988, opening a Damon’s franchise operation in Lincoln.
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Damon's also had UK restaurants in Sheffield and Derby through the years. But by June 2017, Damon's in Speke had closed its doors for good and later became The Chinese Buffett.
Many still have fond memories of Damon's, from the occasions celebrated there to their favourite dish they wish they could have once more. A number of ECHO readers shared their memories and comments of Damon's on our Facebook page.
Pauline Hayward said: "Happy memories Our neighbour owned it the lobster tails were legendary." Traceii Summer commented: "Best restaurant everrr really miss this place."
Barbara Lucas wrote: "Still go to Damon's in Lincoln, when I visit. It was my favourite restaurant in Lincoln and went there from when it first opened. I was delighted it opened in Liverpool. If you felt Liverpool was busy, sorry but it was very quiet compared to Lincoln. Been eating my favourite meal since 1988 ribs as they are the best and coleslaw with an onion loaf."
RM Nixon said: "Always took my son on his birthday...great place." Angela Flynn-goodyear commented: "Went here every year for my twin boys birthdays they always had a rack and half of ribs then a cake each it was great x"
Zara Claire said: "Met my husband here and some great friends." Christine Fenelon wrote: "I miss going there. So many good memories/good times."
Vonnie Darbey posted: "Brings back memories of my school days ha." John Hall commented: "Been there few times Christmas party's great place good food wonderful staff."
Glynn Worthington said: "Loved it. Great food, great service." And Lisa Riddoch posted: "Bring it back - we miss Damon's!"
Many ECHO readers also shared what their favourite Damon's dish was. On our Facebook page, Moira Byrne said: "Loved the ribs there."
Rachael Laurie posted: "The buffalo wings were amazing miss this place so much." Antony Whyte said: "Everything in Damon’s was lovely the fillet steak was amazing the ribs the wings and the chicken tenders with the honey and mustard dip. Even the free wings if you had to wait were spot on god I miss that place."
Glynn Worthington said: "The onion loaf was the stuff of legend." Stef Jones commented: "Damon’s breakfast was the best."
Irene McDonald posted: "Damon's, free chicken wings, happy hour cocktails, steak and prawns, free birthday meal and a chocolate cake with a sparkler. It was great in its day." Joanne Jones said: "Breakfasts were amazing!"
Alan Harrop posted: "Ribs were lovely." Alisha Hannah Shukry commented: "Those free chicken wings always brought the customers in!"
Lyndsey Wilson wrote: "Best coleslaw." Marta Dalasińska said: "The best rips I have ever had. Also chicken wings for happy hours were unreal Great memories and amazing food, wish they can come back."
Angela Freeman wrote: "Used to love it here - the warm bread and the free chicken wings." Catherine Docherty commented: "Miss the steak and egg breakfast."
Pauline Scregg said: "We miss Damon's a lot their ribs were the best." And Linda O'brien said: "Loved Damon's ,, they gave you warm bread and garlic butter to nibble while you waited for your meal and their coleslaw was amazing x"
A few former Damon's staff members also shared their memories. Adele 'Del' Jones said "shout out to the Damon's Staff .... was like a family in there" and James Culshaw said "had some of the best times working there!!!"
Do you remember Damon's in Speke? Let us know in the comments section below.
In Liverpool's Damon's, as you stepped inside, you could immediately see the semi-circular dining area, which was decorated with black and white photos of New York and had a number of booths. The venue also had a large bar area were families would wait to be seated and some may remember there being free chicken wings to try before being taken to a table.
Most people will have celebrated their own birthday there, if not somebody else's. Going back a few years, it wasn't unusual to show up with a passport on the big day as proof to have the price of the birthday meal struck off the bill.
Huge banners outside the building would also promote this, as well as other family offers and deals. Damon's trademark ribs were also a big selling point, with outside's red lit-up signage donning it as "the place for ribs."
Diners could also create their own combo platters of meat and also try its "famous onion loaf" - a loaf of huge onion rings - that sported a Damon's red flag at the centre. But by June 2017, we heard that the American-themed venue might close for good.
At the time, the Speke restaurant was closed and a sign had been posted in the window confirming this - but with no other details about the building's future. It was understood that it would be retaining all current staff employed at the Old Airport site, but this was not confirmed by any official sources.
Later that month, the ECHO reported how the new owners of the former Damon’s restaurant wanted to spend more than a million pounds turning it into a Chinese buffet. Lancashire chain The Chinese Buffet bought the site in Speke Boulevard.
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Hearing about its closure, a number of ECHO readers at the time said it was "a shame" that Damon's had closed. Carole Green said: "Another Chinese buffet pft ! Damon's was an original loved their ribs and cocktails can't believe it's going ! Please stay Damon's x"
Nicola Deegan commented: "Such a shame. Damon's was unique, bit of a Scouse institution in fact." Anne Âû Darbyshire posted: "There are plenty of Chinese restaurants, there was only one Damon's. It will be missed."
Dave Traynor commented: "What a shame! Loved the ribs in here." Christina Crellin said: "Gutted we loved it there x
Steph Grainger posted: "Love it here!! Nowhere better for ribs !!" And Chris Harris said: "Never had a bad experience in Damon's been there so many times times gutted it's gone."
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But other readers were happy that the site was getting a new lease of life. Colin Lewin posted: "Chinese buffets are great restaurants I go to the one in St Helens mainly as it's the closest. The food is great. Staff very friendly. Place always kept clean. I highly recommend anyone to go try it. They will definitely go back."
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Jayne Stephens commented: "Can't wait, love it. Will be there for the opening." And Tina Roberts said: "Don't need to go to St. Helens or Wigan now."
By March 2018, the site was set to reopen as The Chinese Buffet which is still there today. As for Damon's, there is still a branch in Lincoln and our memories of when it also called Liverpool home.
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