Foodflash: Piggy Smalls Is Closing Permanently After Feb. 12

Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

Piggy Smalls announced on Instagram today that the Ward Village restaurant will close permanently after Sunday brunch service on Feb. 12. The eatery, opened in 2016 and affectionately known as The Pig & The Lady’s little brother, thanked “our incredible staff, past and present, who have been absolutely amazing in crafting our unique and eclectic Asian American cuisine. We also want to thank our amazing customers and patrons who have dined at our location for the past 7 years.”

The restaurant, Vietnamese at heart but with many other cultural influences, hopes to return at some point. Many staffers will transfer over to The Pig & The Lady, which the Instagram post says will undergo a refresh this year. The Pig & The Lady is currently open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Photo: Lianne Rozzelle

I know this because I’m still licking pho off my lips from the pho French dip banh mi I picked up for lunch at the Chinatown restaurant earlier today, typing with the frantic energy supplied by an iced Thai tea. Both Pig restaurants hold a lot of memories for me. But more than probably any other restaurant, it’s Piggy Smalls that holds the most vivid ones.

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I gathered here with friends the night of the false missile alert. I have no idea what we ate, but sitting at one of the long tables in the middle of the room, surrounded by so many other people who were just as happy to be alive, is what’s seared in my memory.

Photo: Thomas Obungen

I repaired a broken relationship here with someone I thought I’d never speak to again. It was our first conversation in months that didn’t end in tears, but in waffles.

Piggy Smalls is where we had one last hurrah with a friend who was moving to Seattle. A pau hana celebration for a former boss leaving for a new job. A place to grab dessert, catch up with friends, or get takeout for a pandemic picnic in the park.

Photo: Lianne Rozzelle

I wasn’t the only one in love with Piggy Smalls. Former President Barack Obama ate here. Famous actors and musicians. Our entire staff, time and time again. We’ll miss what we shared together, but look forward to a bright future from a talented team. Thank you, Smalls, for everything.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 777-3588, thepigandthelady.com/piggysmalls, @piggysmalls