Legendary Franklin Barbecue Closes Due To Devastating Fire Damage

Photo: Robb1e on Flickr.

One of Austin’s most iconic barbecue spots, Franklin Barbecue, is going to be closed for at least a month.

Over the weekend, the restaurant caught on fire and its smokehouse was partially destroyed. Fortunately, the kitchen and dining room only suffered from smoke damage, according to Austin360. Additionally, the lone employee on site during the fire and all of the smokers are okay. However, Franklin Barbecue will lose over $350,000 in structural and content damages.

Austin’s fire department believes the cause of the fire to be an accident. An ember likely flew out from a smoke box and caught onto some flammable materials.

The restaurant’s owner, Aaron Franklin, believes that he will need to rebuild the entire frame of the smokehouse, which could take up to a month. While Franklin Barbecue is under construction, Aaron Franklin will be looking to sell his briskets elsewhere in the city. Hopefully, that means those in Austin who want his legendary grub can still enjoy it while the restaurant rebuilds.

As for the staff, Eater reports that multiple nearby restaurants will be donating money made from certain items to help pay them. Nearby bar Nickel City will donate $2 from every Old Fashioned cocktail sold, and Javelina Bar will send over money raised from selling its picadillo queso nachos.

It’s great to see a city come together and support a local legend the way these restaurants are. Hopefully, Franklin Barbecue will be back up and running soon so that we can enjoy its delicious offerings once more.