Restaurant News: Uncle Chubb’s Soul Food and Barbecue, and a handful of permanent closures

We noticed a new barbecue truck is open on Township. We’ve also noticed a handful of restaurants that have permanently closed their doors in Fayetteville over the last few weeks.

Something tells us our restaurant news space is going to be sadder than usual over the next few months. Support your favorite locals any way you can.

Also, just a note, we’ve checked in with Fork & Crust, who held a customer appreciation day last week and has been closed since then, and we’ll post an update on their plans once we hear back. Several readers have written us asking about Fork & Crust. Update: We didn’t hear back from Fork and Crust, but it appears a legal dispute amongst the owners is the reason for their recent closure.

Here’s what we know at the moment.


Zoes Kitchen

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Texas-based restaurant chain Zoes Kitchen has closed its Fayetteville location.

A paper sign placed outside the restaurant at 3379 N. College Ave. Suite 8 next to Whole Foods, announced the closure.

We’ve been told the closure could be only temporary, however, and the restaurant could reopen in the future.

Zoes opened in late 2015 as part of the College Marketplace development. The restaurant specialized in Mediterranean entrees, soups, salads, sandwiches, and other items.


Atlanta Bread Co.

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Georgia-based restaurant chain Atlanta Bread Company has closed its Fayetteville restaurant.

The location had been operating in town for 25 years.

From their local Facebook page:

Thank you to our beloved guests and staff for last 25 years. Recent events have made it impossible for us to continue operating and have made the difficult decision to close this location. We hope to see you all again in the future and thank you for the continued support throughout the years.

Atlanta Bread Company specialized in sandwiches, salads, soups, and other baked items.


Uncle Chubb’s Soul Food and Barbecue

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A new barbecue truck is now open on Township Street in Fayetteville.

The new place, called Uncle Chubb’s Soul Food and Barbecue, is located at 257 E. Township St., in a vacant lot formerly home to a car wash.

The menu for the new restaurant includes barbecue sandwiches, ribs, pork chops, and other items.

According to the company’s Facebook page, the truck is open 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday.


Sauced BBQ

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Dickson Street barbecue restaurant Sauced has closed, but it isn’t all bad news for fans of their food.

The owners of the restaurant, who also operate The Grotto in Eureka Springs, announced the closure of the restaurant on Instagram, but in the same post announced plans to open a Sauced location in Eureka Springs.

The new place is actually already open at 139 E. Van Buren.

Sauced opened on Dickson Street in the fall of 2018. The restaurant specialized in “chef-inspired” barbecue, including ribs, pulled pork, wings, and other items.


Mickey Finn’s

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A longtime local watering hole has closed its doors for good.

Irish-themed pub Mickey Finn’s announced the closure on Facebook earlier this week.

From the announcement:

We are sad to say, Mickey Finn’s has closed. Thank you all so much for the memories & the wonderful times. When Matt & I became a part of Finn’s, we never could have anticipated how many amazing people we were about to meet. I can honestly say we needed Mickey Finn’s as much as that place needed us. We cannot thank you all enough for the tremendous amount of support, love, and friendship. There are so many AMAZING people that have been a part of Mickey Finn’s over the last 20 years. I wish things could be different, but 2020 has brought us all many changes we never saw coming.

The bar opened in the early 2000s, and has changed hands at least once since then that we’re aware of. The place was known for its epic Monday wing nights, half-price night on Sundays, and for going all out on St. Patrick’s Day.


Meez and Kini

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Local Mediterranean restaurant Meez and Kini has closed.

The restaurant, created by the owners of Emelia’s Kitchen on Dickson Street, focused on “street-style” food including sandwiches, salads, plates, and other items.

A paper sign on the door encourages guests to visit the owners at Emelia’s.