Rudy’s BBQ in Tyler is set for restaurant renovations following a fire in Janury. (Luis Villasmil/Unsplash).
Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q suffered extensive fire damage to its Tyler location. Now, though, renovations are set to begin.
In Tyler, Texas a local BBQ joint is beginning the renovation process after suffering extensive fire damage in January. Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q first opened in Leon Springs in 1989 and quickly became an area staple, expanding into several other cities and states over the years. The Tyler location temporarily closed following the incident, but Chron reports that it filed a permit this week with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to help get the restaurant, located at 1410 S SW Loop 323, back up and running again.
Rudy’s is estimating a total renovation cost of around $300,000. Electrical repairs, roofing, mechanical repairs, framing, and plumbing will all need to be completed before its fully operational and serving up delicious meals to customers. While a spokesperson for Rudy’s said there isn’t an available timeline yet in terms of when renovations can expect to be completed, Chron noted they could be done by the middle of April. Whenever the beloved chain reopens, it won’t be soon enough for residents who have had to travel several hours to the closest location to satisfy their Rudy’s cravings.
Because, let’s be honest, when you’re in the mood for sandwiches, smoked meats, and sides, you’re willing to travel any distance to have the best of the best, but it’s a lot nicer (and easier) when your regular joint is open. Though it might still be a few more months before you can belly up to Rudy’s for lunch, or to buy some merchandise and “sauses,” these renovation permits are at least a step in the right direction.
The fire broke out on January 14
As KLTV originally reported, a fire broke out at Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q in Tyler on January 14 around midnight. The town’s firefighters responded to the blaze around 12:41 a.m. and noted that it had torn through the ceiling of the building. After finally putting out the flames, Fire Marshal Joey Hooton said it appeared as though the fire originally started near the smoker barbecue pits before spreading to other parts of the restaurant.
The area director for Rudy’s, Steve Powell, told Chron at the time that he knew the location would be closed for 30 days or more, though it was obviously difficult to anticipate how long it would actually take to clear the debris and file permits for the renovation process. Powell said to the outlet in January that, “It’s a lot of damage — We’re going to have to redo some of the roof.”
Thankfully, that damage is being tended to, and we’ll hopefully be able to update y’all on when this Tyler institution is ready to serve you again soon.
