Historic Bar-B-Q King To Close After 66 Years, Ending an Era in Charlotte

A Charlotte food landmark will soon close its doors. Bar-B-Q King, which has fed locals since 1959, shuts its doors Nov. 1. A bank branch will take its place.

Owner Gus Karapanos broke the news about the Wilkinson Boulevard spot. "For 66 years that door has been open, and now that door is going to close," Karapanos said, per WCNC.

First National Bank submitted plans this fall to build at 2900 Wilkinson Blvd. The site spans four lots, making up 1.8 acres where the restaurant now stands.

Time stood still at this drive-in for six decades. Cars still pull up to old speaker boxes, just like in '59. The menu stayed true too : pork barbecue, crispy chicken, and rings of golden onion kept customers coming back.

Pete Gianniks ran the kitchen for 42 years. His eyes light up when he talks about the past. "The drive-in business was thriving. Drive-ins were the place to be, you couldn't get in on Friday or Saturday there. You couldn't find a parking space," Gianniks said.

The spot caught Guy Fieri's eye in 2007. His show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, put them in the spotlight. "That gave the business a shot in the arm," Gianniks told WCNC.

Bar-B-Q King joins other Charlotte food spots that closed up shop: Green's Lunch, Gus' Sir Beef, Philadelphia Deli, Mr. K's, Bill Spoon's Barbecue, and Price's Chicken Coop all said goodbye.

"It's been an emotional period for our family and the employees who have been here for so many years and customers who have been loyal to us for a decade now," Karapanos said.

The red awning will see its final customers on Saturday, Nov. 1. City officials wait for official plans about what comes next.