An iconic Erie restaurant is closing its doors for one last time tonight, but not before customers get one last meal.

The Pufferbelly Restaurant has been a staple of Erie’s downtown for nearly 30 years.

The lunch lines have been wrapping around the block for the last few days, according to owner, Mary Ellen Hemme.

Mary Jean Schell and Jill Weber were at the front of the line for lunch on Tuesday. They have been coming to Pufferbelly’s since it opened nearly 30 years ago.

"I love the atmosphere and that they kept the history of the firehouse, and I feel like its an Erie institution,” said Schell. “I’m going to be sad to see it go."

While the food is the main reason they come back, it's also the restaurant itself. The memorabilia honoring Erie’s firefighters lines the walls of the former fire house adds to the Pufferbelly's experience.

"It's consistently good food, but also the memorabilia of the firehouse and the atmosphere. People love this,” Weber said.

Hemme has co-owned the restaurant since 2002. But after her husband and Pufferbelly co-owner, Bruce, passed away earlier this year, she decided it's time to move on. And so will the customers, with a to-go box of memories.

"They came for their proms, Valentine's Day, birthdays, special occasions. I can't tell you how many people got engaged here,” Hemme said. “So I hope people look back on it with fond memories."

Hemme said the building has been sold, but couldn’t comment on the future plans of the restaurant, located at 414 French St.

Pufferbelly will not take reservations tonight for its final day. But, reservations already placed in advance of today will be honored, Hemme said.