Maybe it's that dish that you loved that you can't get anywhere else. Or the sense of community the place evoked. Either way, when a favorite restaurant closes it leaves a void in your life.

We feel your pain.

The restaurant business isn't easy. New paid leave rules, increased minimum wage, changing customer demands and supply cost fluctuations are just a few issues entrepreneurs grapple with, according to Marilous Halvorsen, president of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association.

"A lot more goes into it than being a good cook and opening your doors," she said.

These are some of Jersey's favorites that closed last year.

Circus Drive-In

This Jersey Shore landmark was demolished in May after serving burgers, hot dogs and other American staples car-side for more than 60 years. The 1.64-acre property on Route 35 in Wall Township is being marketed for ground lease or a strip mall.

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Brookside Bistro (formerly Rosemary & Sage)

Two years after the owners of the renowned Rosemary & Sage in Riverdale changed their menu and concept to Brookside Bistro, the restaurant closed permanently in May. Chef/owners Brooks Nicklas and Wendy Farber say on the restaurant's Facebook page that they got an offer on the restaurant and their home that they couldn't pass up. The space and liquor license are available, per a sign on the building.

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Thank you for your loyalty to Charlie Brown’s Millburn for the last 39 years! The location is now closed. We invite our... Posted by Charlie Brown's Steakhouse on Monday, October 29, 2018

Another Charlie Brown's

Charlie Brown's Fresh Grill (formerly Charlie Brown's Steakhouse) closed its final Essex County restaurant in October. The Millburn eatery had been operating for 39 years. The chain still has 14 other New Jersey locations, down from 30 at its peak. The company has struggled after it's former CEO and president was sent to prison in 2011 for accepting more than $1 million in kickbacks.

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Photos courtesy of Dave Stone

Perkins in Neptune

The Perkins on Route 35 in Neptune closed in August after 56 years. The local institution was known for partnering with schools, churches and other community organizations. But the owners Dave and Barbara Stone found it more and more difficult to turn a profit in recent years.

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The Melting Pot Sommerville

Fondue chain The Melting Pot closed its Sommerville locations permanently on July 1. The franchise still has 115 restaurants spread across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South East Asia and United Arab Emirates -- including four in New Jersey (Maple Shade, Red Bank, Westwood and Whippany).

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Rockhill

The Cherry Hill cheesesteak and shake joint closed in July after opening in 2014 where Big John's Steaks & Pizza had operated for 30 years on Route 70. Meticulous care to provide homemade-style menu items drove prices up, and in a saturated market prevented Rockhill from doing the volume it needed to stay profitable, owner Andrew Welder said in an interview about the closing.

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Al Cibelli's Bar & Grill

The Perth Amboy staple stopped serving wings and beers in April after 43 years because, the namesake owner has said he needs to address health issues and wants to spend more time with family.

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Chatterbox Drive-in

This 50s-style, Fonz-approved slice of Americana in Sussex County closed in early September. Plans for a Wawa to be built on the Route 15 site were approved in March.

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Maxwell's Tavern

The Hoboken music mecca closed in February after a brief revival by new owners who took over the legendary Maxwell's in 2014 and added another word to the name. Nirvana played here before their album "Nevermind" made them grunge-rock superstars and Bruce Springsteen shot his Glory Days video in the restaurant area.

High rents that drove away musicians and a lack of affordable parking hampered business, ex-owners have said.

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Our weekend specials at Bistro... Mongolian BBQ Berkshire Pork Chop, Spaghetti and Local Littleneck Clams, Grilled Swordfish Jersey Corn Succotash.. Posted by Dish on Friday, August 3, 2018

Dish in Red Bank

Chef Anthony Ferrando closed his Red Bank restaurant Dish in May after 14 years, but took some of his American Eclectic recipes to The Bistro in Red Bank.

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Gorga's Homemade Pizza & Pasta

Does it surprise you that drama led to the closing of an East Hanover restaurant owned in part by RHONJ stars Melissa and Joe Gorga less a year after opening? The menu was based on former restaurant, Salugo, and Gorga family recipes -- and the food was not bad.

But Melissa Gorga called the management partners "shady" and the couple sent them a cease and desist letter in January, according to Page Six.

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Motivate your way with flavors you can never image could exist ...!!! #friedicecream #foodphoto #foodpornshare #share #foodie #fusion #icecream Posted by Taco Bao's on Thursday, May 18, 2017

Taco Bao

This Asian-fusion quick-serve restaurant located in Lake Hiawatha closed after about a year in business. But Yelpers loved their kimchi fries, fried ice cream and spicy mayo.

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Feeling for some BBQ? Join us up at Stax on 22 where we have relocated. Same Chef Ricky Bobby - same great BBQ - ask for it... OUTPOST BBQ and say hello to Ricky Bobby! Posted by NIK'S 202 - Outpost Barbeque on Friday, November 9, 2018

Nik's 202 -- Outpost Barbecue

Ok, follow along here: Nik's 202 -- Outpost Barbecue on Rt. 202 in Bridgewater closed to make way for Wild Burger in that location. And the chef took his barbecue recipes to Stax Organic Eatery in Branchburg.

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Allendale Eats

Rising costs and a competitive market led the owners of Allendale Eats in Bergen County to close their 9-year-old restaurant in May, according to a Facebook post. The breakfast, lunch and catering establishment relied on on a menu of homestyle favorites and specials.

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Moorestown Mall lost two restaurants

Jose Garces' Mexican restaurant Distrito and Italian restaurant Catelli Duo both closed in June. Distrito closed as part of a bankruptcy. And Catelli Duo blamed slow sales on its location in a quiet corner of the mall.

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Brother Jimmy's BBQ in New Brunswick

The small-chain barbecue joint closed its location across from Rutgers University Housing in May after reportedly accumulating back rent debt of more than $80,000. It still serves its North Carolina-style Barbecue at its New York City, Westchester, Connecticut, Maryland, and Florida locations.

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Ocean County Sheriff's Office

Caffrey's Tavern

Caffrey's Tavern is hoping it will rise "like a Phoenix" from the ashes of a September fire that shut down the bar and restaurant. But it's currently squabbling with the town over a 100-foot set back for structures on Route 9 that didn't exist when the original building went up.

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Pei Wei

Pei Wei's concept of quick, fresh, authentic Asian food has left the state. It's restaurant on Route 38 in Moorestown reportedly closed permanently at the end of July. Then it reportedly closed its Cherry Hill and Princeton locations in October. If you're still craving Pei Wei, the closest location is now in Springfield, Pennsylvania.

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The Farmhouse

The Farmhouse in Cherry Hill announced Aug. 6 that it had served its last customers, although it would honor previously scheduled August events. The farm-to-table, BYOB opened in May 2017 in the renovated 1859 building that previously housed La Campagne, until it closed in July 2012, citing leasing issues. The Farmhouse reportedly closed because expenses were higher than revenue.

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Check out our specials for tomorrow! Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 DAILY SOUPS *Vegan Mushroom & Barley *Broccoli, Cheddar,... Posted by Café Mumford's on Monday, May 22, 2017

Cafe Mumford's

Husband and wife Chris and Debbie Mumford closed their 30-year-old Cafe Mumford's in July. The Tinton Falls spot was reopened as Apple Street Kitchen.

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Spent many Friday night here Posted by Robert Gilligan on Thursday, December 27, 2018

Arena Diner in Hackensack

The Arena Diner abruptly closed its doors the first weekend in December.

Know of other restaurants we lost last year? Let us know in the comments section about the ones you miss the most.

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Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.