KC'S BBQ

"In a post on Instagram on Wednesday night, the family behind Berkeley’s KC’s BBQ announced the sudden and immediate closure of the restaurant, which had been open for more than five decades." - Lauren Saria

"Closed due to increasing costs, family hopes to continue business in other forms." - Paolo Bicchieri

"A concise news brief on an East Bay squabble topped Eater SF’s popular story list for 2019: The city of Berkeley cited KC’s BBQ, a 50-year-old restaurant, for operating its fully-permitted smoker. After a summertime mediation session, it appears the dispute has been resolved." - Eve Batey

"KC’s BBQ, a 50-year-old barbecue restaurant in Berkeley, received a cease and desist notice from the city following neighbor complaints about the smoker. The owners were shocked by the notice and blame the city for poor information and communication. They have appealed the violation, which will be addressed in an administrative hearing." - Janelle Bitker

"After serving barbecue in Berkeley for 50 years, KC’s BBQ has received a notice of violation from the city. According to a petition the family-owned restaurant posted on Change.org, the violation instructed the restaurant to stop using its smoker immediately — and forcing a barbecue restaurant to stop smoking meats would essentially shut it down. KC’s is calling on the community for support, and outlined in its petition a series of inspections and neighbor complaints despite the smoker being permitted when the restaurant first opened last summer. The restaurant’s original location was destroyed in a fire." - Janelle Bitker