The End of the Free BBQ Era: A Lament for the Lost Art of Short Lines
Things We LostThursday, February 26, 2026 4 min read

The End of the Free BBQ Era: A Lament for the Lost Art of Short Lines

A nostalgic rant about the good old days of free BBQ and short lines.

The Grouch

It's been a while since I've felt the need to write about the impending doom of our beloved city, but the recent developments in the BBQ scene have left me no choice. The free BBQ era is over, folks. The days of walking into a joint, grabbing a plate, and enjoying a delicious meal without parting with a single dollar are behind us.

I'm not talking about the overpriced, dry-rubbed, Instagram-famous joints that have popped up on Rainey Street. I'm talking about the real deal, the authentic, no-frills BBQ spots that have been a staple of this city for decades. You know, the ones where the lines used to be short, the meat was tender, and the prices were reasonable.

Now, I'm not naive. I know that gentrification is a natural part

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