He will own and operate the restaurant in the same location as Bada Bing with his wife, Maxine Hague, and it could be open as soon as Wednesday.
“We looked at the operations as a whole, and we thought let’s just try something different,” he said. “There was a lot of thought that went into the decision.”
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Hague said the reason for the closure wasn’t due to decreasing popularity, but mentioned increased labor costs from operating on two floors instead of one. A wood-fire pizza oven on the first floor couldn’t keep up with demand during peak hours, so production had to shift to the basement kitchen.
“We can’t cut labor and still function well,” he said.
With the new concept, Hague said the restaurant will be able to more efficiently use the wood-fired oven and will also continue to focus on fresh, quality ingredients.
“We’d be fire roasting our salsas, our meats. Everything that we can will be made fresh and on site,” Hague said.
The menu transition will happen quickly, but decor changes will be ongoing in the coming months. Bada Bing will officially close on Sunday.
The short-term goal for the restaurant will be to open for lunch and dinner, but could expand into breakfast and late-night hours within the year. All current Bada Bing staff will be kept on during the transition to the new concept.
“It is the most bittersweet thing I’ve done in my life,” Hague said. “I’ve made a lot of great friends through Bada Bing, and I hope those friends come back with the new restaurant.”
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People took to the internet to express optimism for the new concept.
“Sorry to see this!!! I hope your next endeavor is successful and makes you happy,” said Nancy Hensley Hines.
Others voiced their sadness for the restaurant’s departure.
“While I love tacos, I’d rather get a good wood fired pizza,” said Tony Walls. “There are other good taco places in town. I’m sure I’ll give it a try but it won’t be the same.”
Bada Bing opened to the public in 2012 on Harding Road in Springfield, before moving downtown in 2014.
Tango Yankee, a hamburger restaurant Hague opened in the Upper Valley Mall in 2017 is now closed.
Bada Bing Pizzeria and soon to be En Fuego, is located at 42 N. Fountain Avenue.
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