After 80 years as an Oak Forest fixture, Houston institution Barbecue Inn is closing, marking the end of an era for generations of diners.
The restaurant will close at the end of dinner service on Saturday, an employee confirmed.
Opened in 1946, Barbecue Inn feels like a time capsule of diners and cafes in that era with red leather booths and servers in old-timey uniforms. It’s been owned by three generations of the same family.
While barbecue is in the name, it’s the fried chicken, which is cooked to order, that has become the standout dish that customers have raved about for years. The fried chicken has been nationally recognized by Travel & Leisure and Food & Wine magazine, according to the restaurant.
News of the closing has sent shock waves through the community, with longtime customers taking to social media to mourn the loss and recount decades of family traditions at the restaurant.