Sam’s Bar-B-Que, Austin Landmark Since 1957, Shuts Down ‘Until Further Notice’

The family-owned East Austin smokehouse Sam's Bar-B-Que, which has been offering brisket, ribs, and history since 1957, has closed "until further notice."

According to an Instagram post on August 28, Sam's and its sister restaurant, the Austin Daiquiri Factory, told fans, "We are heartbroken to share that we will be closed until further notice." Please know that we are working hard behind the scenes to reopen and continue helping the people who mean so much to us.

It was made clear in the message that the shutdown is only temporary. When we are back… we are going to be SO BACK,” the post said.

Sam's has not just been a grill place for a long time. It is an integral part of Austin's history and culture, especially when it comes to Texas barbecue. In his history of the restaurant, Daniel Vaughn, editor of Texas Monthly's BBQ section, said that owner and pitmaster Brian Mays has worked there since 1977, when his father took over the business.

Formerly, the famous Texas musician Stevie Ray Vaughan often ate at Sam's before he died in 1990. The house burned down in 1992, but it was rebuilt with the help of people who really cared.

In the past few years, as East Austin underwent growth, Mays turned down offers worth millions of dollars to sell. He turned down bids of $3.5 million and $5 million because he wanted to keep the business in the family.

People who love food and famous people have both made pilgrimages to Sam's. A May 2025 article in the Austin American-Statesman quoted Questlove as saying that it was "what Texas barbecue dreams are made of."

Mays' daughter and granddaughter opened the Austin Daiquiri Factory next door to help the family business during the COVID-19 outbreak.

People who have been going there for a long time are shocked by the quick closing. The family, though, says Sam's story is not over. People told them, "This is not goodbye."