Former South Medford Shari’s to Become Korean BBQ, Hot Pot Restaurant “Feast Utopia”

MEDFORD, Ore. (Apr. 19, 2026) — A former south Medford diner long known for late-night meals and pie is poised for a new chapter, as the shuttered Shari’s Café & Pies location is set to become a new restaurant concept called Feast Utopia.

The Stewart Avenue restaurant, which closed in October 2024, is among dozens of former Shari’s locations across Oregon left vacant after the regional chain abruptly shut down all of its in-state operations.

Now, signage and early promotional materials indicate the Medford site will reopen as “Feast Utopia,” a concept that appears to feature a mix of dining options such as hot pot, sushi and Korean barbecue, reflecting a broader shift toward interactive and globally inspired dining experiences.

End of an Oregon staple

Founded in 1978 in Hermiston, Shari’s Café & Pies grew into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most recognizable family dining chains, known for its 24-hour service, comfort food and award-winning pies.

At its peak, the company operated dozens of locations across Oregon and nearly 100 restaurants across several western states.

But financial troubles mounted in the early 2020s, including unpaid debts, tax liabilities and eviction notices. By October 2024, all Oregon locations closed suddenly, in many cases with little notice to employees, marking the end of a decades-long presence in the state.

The closure left a noticeable gap in Oregon’s dining landscape, particularly in communities where Shari’s served as a rare late-night option.

A new concept emerges

While details about Feast Utopia remain limited, early information suggests the restaurant aims to offer a more modern, experience-driven approach to dining, potentially combining multiple Asian cuisines under one roof.

The transformation of the south Medford site mirrors a broader trend across Oregon, where former Shari’s buildings — known for their distinctive hexagonal design — are being repurposed for new restaurant ventures or redeveloped entirely.

For Medford residents, the eventual reopening represents both a change and a continuation: a familiar building taking on a new identity after the loss of a longtime community fixture.

An opening date for Feast Utopia in Medford has not yet been publicly announced. Medford Alert News will continue to provide updates on this story as new information becomes available.