‘Carry on the memories.’ Popular South End ramen restaurant announces sudden closure

Futo Buta, a popular South End eatery that opened before Charlotte ramen shops became cool, announced its permanent closure on Saturday.

The late Michael Shortino opened the restaurant in 2015, making it one of the first ramen shops in North Carolina at the time, according to Futo Buta’s website. In the nearly decade since, it built a loyal following near the intersection of South Boulevard and Rensselaer Avenue. That’s next to the Blue Line and the Charlotte Rail Trail.

Earlier this year, it was voted the second-best ramen shop in the city by CharlotteFive readers. Southern Living named it one of the best 22 restaurants in Charlotte last year.

Its just-announced closure comes months after the death of its founder, whom his family called “a culinary trailblazer” and “a beloved member of the hospitality community.” The restaurant’s Instagram post announcing the closure said Shortino was “up there, still listening to Pearl Jam and Motorhead, celebrating all of you.”

Futo Buta didn’t provide a reason for the closure other than to discuss Shortino’s death. People who said they worked there commented on CharlotteFive’s Instagram post about the news, saying they were surprised to learn about the sudden closure.

“Just as a death does not diminish the life of a loved one, the closing of a restaurant does not erase the impact it has had on a community,” Futo Buta’s Instagram post said. “Michael’s life was, and is, so greatly intertwined with this concept, one that cultivated an incredible story, marked with truly life changing relationships.”

The restaurant’s voicemail box was full Sunday morning. The Charlotte Observer and CharlotteFive sent an email to ask for more information about the closure.

Cassie Shortino, daughter of the restaurant’s founder, stepped in to run the restaurant after her dad’s death. She was an accomplished chef, too, as a two-time semifinalist for the James Beard Award’s rising star chef of the year honor.

Commenters on social media expressed disbelief over the news, calling it their favorite restaurant, that the closure was heartbreaking and that it will be “a huge loss for Charlotte.”

Futo Buta encouraged loyal customers to “carry on the memories” from first dates, late night take-out, meals with co-workers and milestones celebrated with a bowl of ramen.