If nothing else, the hospitality industry is constantly changing. Restaurants always seem to be opening and closing. This year, the health of the local - and national - economy will contribute to the fluid situation.

The next time you dine out, look around. Given that we are at the height of tourist season, if the restaurant isn’t full now, they’re likely not in a position to save money for the lean summer months.

The latest restaurant to shutter its doors is the Olive Tree, which had been dishing out Greek food for 30 years at 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road.

Owner John Condiss said a slew of adverse factors had left him with no choice but to close the restaurant recently. He specifically cited rising food costs and the sinking economy.

Other factors have affected nearly every restaurateur I’ve talked with lately: two hikes in the minimum wage, stricter DUI (driving under the influence) laws, bans on smoking, and fuel surcharges from vendors to deliver products.

Ironically, Tucson Lifestyle magazine’s annual culinary awards issue arrived in subscribers’ mailboxes last week in which readers once again voted The Olive Tree as Tucson’s best greek restaurant.

As one who has been in the business, about all I can say is thank you to the Condiss family for so many great years of passion and commitment to your guests. I wish you the best for the future.

A second Buddy’s Grill

This summer, Buddy’s Grill will open a second location to serve long neglected diners on the far southeast side.

The new location, 7385 S. Houghton Road at Valencia Road, should be open by late July.

Owner Art Owens says the new restaurant "will be a carbon copy of the original; same hours, same everything."

I know Buddy’s Grill is known to have some great hamburgers, but for me I’m partial to their French dip sandwich and their addictive banana-nut muffins. I’m not a fan of the advertisements in the menu, though.

• Buddy’s Grill, 4821 E. Grant Road in the Crossroads Festival Center - http://www.buddysgrill.com/ - (520) 795-2226. Open daily at 11 a.m., dining room closes at 10 p.m. every day but Friday and Saturday when it closes at 10:30 p.m.; lounge is open with a "reverse happy hour" until midnight.

Got a tip? Or some advice? Please send it my way to news@azbiz.com. Meals & Entertainment appears weekly.