Legendary Saratoga BBQ Closed for Good? Here's What We Know

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM

By Terry O'Donnell

nefasth, Flickr Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

PJ's Bar-B-QSA closed for the winter, but has yet to reopen.

If you’ve driven by PJ’s Bar-B-QSA lately and wondered why it’s still dark, you’re not alone. The Saratoga staple, known for its regional barbecue and roadside charm, has yet to reopen for the 2025 season — and people are starting to talk. So what's cooking?

Steve Barnes from the Times Union did a little investigating. The restaurant closed last October with a note saying it would return after winter. But Memorial Day came and went, and now the Belmont Racing Festival is here — still no brisket, ribs, or signs of life.

Is it gone for good? Not quite. Co-founder Carolyn Davis told Barnes that the family is 'in the midst of decision-making' and hopes to share more soon.

PJ’s opened in 1984 and went year-round in 2012. It’s a family-run spot with a devoted following and a menu that travels from Texas to Carolina.

For now, the future’s uncertain — but the doors aren’t officially closed. Just quiet.

feature photo: nefasth, Flickr Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) Changes made: cropped, resized