Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue says goodbye marking the end of an era.
While we thought the days of mass pandemic closures were behind us it seems COVID continues to take its toll on the city’s restaurant scene. This time we’re saying goodbye to Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue, a Downtown staple that had been around for more than a decade.
The restaurant shared a farewell message on their website late last week announcing its closure due to the pandemic: ” Sparky’s has closed for good. COVID – 1, Sparky – 0. Thank you to all of our dear fans, friends and families that have come and ridden the wild hog with us. Thank you!”
Sparky’s also shared similar messages on its social media channels thanking its fans for all their support over these past 11 years.
While its famous brisket and pulled pork will be sorely missed by many of us, for owner Hans Seitz Sparky’s time had come to an end. Following a troublesome year that saw Sparky’s co-owner Kevin Kehoe pass away earlier in February due to lung cancer and a raging pandemic, Seitz came to the conclusion that closure was the most sensible thing to do.
“It’s been a wild ride. There were times that I thought we were going to make it, but in the end, we were operating at a loss,” Seitz told the Miami New Times. Seitz also cited the restaurant’s location as a major disadvantage when facing the COVID pandemic as most of the restaurant’s business came during the lunch hour with a loyal courthouse clientele.
But all good things must come to an end and so Sparky’s said goodbye earlier this week marking an end of an era for the Downtown Miami restaurant scene.
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Featured image: Instagram / @sparkysroadsidebarbecue