Fargo's Pit BBQ, a popular smokehouse in Bryan, Texas, has closed its doors after 24 years in business. Co-owners Alan Caldwell and Belender Wells announced the closure a day after July 4th, citing a challenging economic climate as the reason for the shutdown. Rising food costs, including the price of meat, have made it increasingly difficult for the restaurant to sustain its operations. Fargo's Pit BBQ was known for serving Texas barbecue classics and had been recognized as one of the top 50 Texas barbecue joints by Texas Monthly in 2013. The closure of Fargo's Pit BBQ is part of a larger trend of restaurants across America facing closures due to rising costs [1c2af9e3] [e2169608].
Meanwhile, Oz Korean BBQ, a family-owned Korean barbecue chain, is expanding its presence in the Sacramento area. The chain is set to open its third location in Folsom, taking over the former Flame & Fire Brazilian Steakhouse space at 380 Palladio Parkway, Suite 305. Oz Korean BBQ already has two locations in the region, one in Sacramento and one in Elk Grove. The restaurant offers all-you-can-eat options for lunch and dinner, with prices listed per person on its website. The menu includes a variety of beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetables that customers can grill at their table. The new Folsom location is scheduled to open in early 2025 [5e721a3f].