Ribs from the former Mr. Ks on Stone
  • Tim Glass
  • Ribs from the former Mr. K’s on Stone

Sad news for Tucson barbecue fans as the Mr. K’s on Stone and River closed Sunday.

From their Facebook page:

It was a difficult decision and is with a heavy heart that we inform all our friends and guests that Sunday October 13, 2013 was our last day of business at Mr. K’s Barbeque – River & Stone

We would like to thank all of Tucson for entrusting us with your special events and celebrations.

We are grateful to our loyal employees, many who were with us when our doors opened. You were not only part of our team but also became part of our family.

The quest for great BBQ does not end here … Please visit and enjoy the Original Mr.K’s BBQ at 6302 S. Park Ave.

This article appears in Oct 10-16, 2013.

The editor of the Tucson Weekly. I have no idea how I got here.

12 replies on “Mr. K’s on Stone Has Closed”

  3. It was a disgrace and a mockery of the original. I live right down the street and went the first week it opened and many times since. The “area” is not a death to eateries (Zona 78 has been there for 10+ years). The horrible food and even worse service was the death of this eatery. The BBQ itself was no where near the taste and quality of the original and the service and business choices were even worse. They inexplicably took white bread off the menu along with many other popular and traditional sides within months of opening and the food sat out for hours like a cafeteria. Mr K himself hated the place and wanted nothing more than to be disassociated with it. The staff acted like you were hassling them anytime you had a question and they seemed to run out of everything by 6pm. Bad business choices and poor food quality will not get you far. I hate to support “chain” restaurants over local, but Famous Dave’s was/is 100X better and got my business over K’s any day…and that is a sad statement.

  4. Good food and great service, but a shaky business/family combo situation to start with and then ongoing. An amalgam of low-level sibling rivalry, third party non-family member involvement, and then Mr. K being in the middle of it all. Like they said, continue this great BBQ tradition and patronize the Original Mr. K’s. It hasn’t changed, neither should you.

  5. Slobby-really?The following have closed in that “area”:

    1)Marie Callendars
    2)Fifth & Dime
    3) The place that followed the above
    4)Ruby Tuesdays
    5)Chilli’s
    6)Run to the border
    7)Az. ale house
    8)Black Angus
    9)TGIF’s

    NINE eateries have died in that “area”.
    I guess your definition of an “area” is 30 feet by 30 feet.

  6. I think No.’s 1, 4, 8, and 9 lost relevancy nationally, so I’m not sure it was so much the area with them. No. 2, not sure about. Run to the border suffered because of Mexican restaurant saturation in the area. AZ ale house was under-capitalized and also fallout from the micro-brewery ‘bubble’ of its time. No. 3, I don’t recall.

    1)Marie Callendar
    2)Fifth & Dime
    3) The place that followed the above
    4)Ruby Tuesdays
    5)Chilli’s
    6)Run to the border
    7)Az. ale house
    8)Black Angus
    9)TGIF’s

  7. If you mean that specific shopping center, then yeah fair. But, there are numerous very very prosperous food spots on both River and Oracle within a 1/4 mile. So maybe cheeseball chain places and horrible BBQ places arent happening there? GOOD. I say put in a waterpark/strip club/weed cafe combo and everything will resolve itself.

  8. Truttman:

    1,4,8,&9 are open still other than S.Az.
    As to 4,they still have 6 location in the phoenix area.#8-5 locations in Phoenix.#1 has 66 location in Ca.
    2) is still open in Snottsdale
    3) it still failed right across the street from the Tucson mall.

    Mexican restaurant saturation?You just described ALL of Tucson.

    Slobby-nice try.All these locations are with-in two miles of each other and have one of the biggest consumer destinations(Tucson mall) right next to them.

  9. it’s not sad news for tucson bbq fans, because those people did not go to THAT mr. k’s. they went to (and still go to) the authentic mr. k’s in south tucson.

  10. Unfortunately it’s all too easy these days for people to sit behind their computer/phone and make disparaging comments about people and situations. Whether you like the food or not, it is important to remember there are people behind the decision. Namely, the Kendrick family, and the employees, who worked very hard to make the business work. This is a difficult time for them, and no need to add insult to injury with negative comments!

  11. Good for you cosmogirl! Why do people have to have zero empathy. Maybe if some of these people knew what it took run a business and the stress involved they would not be so insensitive or ignorant.

    BTW I ate there a few times and found the employees to be very helpful and the food tasty.

  12. Don’t forget the “China A Supper Buffet” and ” My Big Fat Greek Restaurant” and for God’s sake…it Was ” ON THE BORDER” NOT ” Run For The Border ” !!!

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