Old Town BBQ Restaurant Closes Suddenly

A local BBQ restaurant is no more.Photo byTim MossholderonUnsplash

Restaurant closures slow down during this time of year, at least around greater Phoenix. The summer months are some of the most difficult, as snowbirds have left, college students are back home, and customers simply don’t want to drive through the 115-degree heat for a burger. The end of the year also sees an uptick in closures as owners look to make financial and tax decisions prior to the start of a new year. However, that doesn’t mean closures don’t happen during the more profitable months, and unfortunately, a favorite BBQ spot in Scottsdale has officially put up the white flag. 

Starlite BBQ and Whiskey Bar had been located at 7620 East Indian School Road (Suite 101) in Old Town for the better part of the last six years. However, the restaurant rather suddenly closed up shop. In fact, it gave customers next to no warning, and owners are quickly pulling the plug on its Internet footprint. All social media profiles, including Facebook and Instagram, have been scrubbed and deleted. Even its website has been taken down. This was a planned, coordinated effort to effectively disappear as quickly as possible. 

Generally speaking, most restaurants, even if they close without informing the public until after the closure, leave some social profiles up. After all, it doesn’t cost anything and it gives customers a chance to offer well wishes. It is also beneficial if there are any plans for the owners to launch a new restaurant, provide catering services, or do something similar. None of that is in the cards for Starlite BBQ and Whiskey Bar. 

The Yelp profile remains active, though the most recent reviews of the restaurant lament its sudden closure. Some did state their love for the food and the desire for the restaurant to return in some shape or form, though based on how quickly it closed and erased everything it could about its existence, the chances of that happening are slim. 

So, for the time being, there’s now a restaurant opening in Old Town. This space will likely be gobbled up quickly due to the popularity of the area. So, while it’s unfortunate a restaurant closed (and didn’t give customers the opportunity to stop by for a final bite), it does mean a fresh, new restaurant will open in the coming months. It’s always exciting to get out and to try a new restaurant. You never know when a new favorite eatery will be discovered.