Diners and Dives
Phil's Bar-B-Q, a popular barbecue joint in Affton, will close its doors Dec. 30 after 57 years in business.
An employee of the establishment confirmed the closure to the Business Journal in a phone call Thursday. He did not provide further details on the closure.
According to a photo posted to the establishment's Facebook page, a sign outside the restaurant states "Retiring" and "Thank you for 57 years."
Phil Polizzi opened the barbecue restaurant in 1961, according to the Phil's Bar-B-Q website. In the 1950s, Polizzi owned a watermelon stand in north St. Louis, where he began selling barbecue. After 10 years, he moved the watermelon stand into a small restaurant at 9205 Gravois Road, the current location, where the restaurant stayed for 57 years, according to the website.
The restaurant is still owned by the Polizzi family. Pete Polizzi is the company's president, according to filings with the Missouri secretary of state's office.