Tough economy, soaring costs push beloved McCook staple to switch off the smokers for good. Taste of Texas BBQ, the family‑run restaurant that turned South B Street into McCook’s unofficial living room, is shutting its doors after 23 busy and heartfelt years. The announcement, made on the owners’ social‑media pages has set off a wave of nostalgia, and a fair amount of worry, among longtime patrons who now face an emptier Main Street.
Rising costs and tighter margins force cherished neighborhood eateries to shut doors
Inflation, spiking utility bills and a series of hikes in wholesale meat prices have sliced away what little profit remained for small operators. The owners say the math finally stopped working: payroll jumped, brisket costs nearly doubled, and commercial rent inched higher every quarter. When every plate served barely breaks even, how long can any independent kitchen hold out?
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening year | 2002 |
| Years in service | 23 |
| Staff employed at peak | 18 |
| Final service | Announced this week |
| Primary reason cited | Cost pressures outpacing sales |
What the closure of Taste of Texas BBQ means for McCook’s community fabric and shared memories
For many residents, Taste of Texas BBQ was more than a place to grab burnt ends. Birthdays, first jobs, even marriage proposals unfolded under its smoky rafters. “I met my husband while busing tables here,” one former employee posted, summing up hundreds of similar tributes that flooded local feeds within hours. Losing a favorite restaurant always stings, but in a rural town, where chains rarely linger and gathering spots are precious, it feels closer to losing a piece of civic identity. Remember your first pulled‑pork sandwich on that red‑checkered patio?
- Community impact checklist
- Fewer after‑game hangouts for high‑school teams
- Loss of 15 current jobs, mostly part‑time student positions
- Annual summer rib fundraiser now without a venue
- Local suppliers—bakery, produce farm, smoke‑wood yard—lose a major account
Steps local diners can take to support remaining small restaurants during tough times, according to industry advocates
First, shift one weekly meal budget from a national chain to an independent spot. Second, buy gift cards up front; cash flow today keeps lights on tomorrow. Third, spread the word: positive reviews and social‑media shares drive foot traffic without costing a dime. Finally, stay flexible—menus may shrink or prices creep up, but every extra cover counts. Could your next birthday dinner keep another icon alive?
In the end, Taste of Texas BBQ’s farewell underscores a national pattern: the smallest eateries are caught in a squeeze they didn’t create yet can’t escape. While the smokers cool for the last time, the lessons are still hot—community support and systemic relief must arrive before more chairs are stacked for good.