Houston is losing one of its most enduring dining institutions. Barbecue Inn, the Independence Heights fixture known less for barbecue and more for its legendary fried chicken and comfort food, will serve its final meals on Saturday, August 1, 2026, capping a run that began in 1946.
Founded by Louis Skrehot, Barbecue Inn quickly became a neighborhood anchor at 116 W Crosstimbers St, drawing generations of Houstonians for hearty, made‑to‑order plates in a wood‑paneled, retro dining room.
Despite its name, the restaurant built its reputation on the fryer, not the smoker: crispy fried chicken (often with two large breasts on a white‑meat plate), oversized fried shrimp and oysters, chicken‑fried steak, and classic sides like big baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and potato salad.
In 2024, Houston culinary authority and James Beard Award–winning chef, Chris Shepherd, highlighted the restaurant in an episode of his show Eat Like a Local, calling its fried chicken “special” and “perfection” after three decades of visiting.
Earlier this week, news began to spread on social media and then through major local outlets. Multiple reports confirm that the family behind Barbecue Inn is retiring, and that Saturday, August 1 will be the restaurant’s last day in business after dinner service.
As of the latest reporting, the restaurant has not issued a detailed public statement explaining the closure beyond the retirement of the owning family. Some coverage notes broader pressures—such as rising food, electricity, and gas costs—as likely contributing factors, but those details have not been officially confirmed by the restaurant itself.
In its final days, the restaurant is expected to draw heavy crowds from longtime fans and curious newcomers alike, all hoping for one last plate of fried chicken or shrimp and a slice of pie before the lights go out on Saturday night.
