Mitchell's BBQ, Wilson, NC
Sadly it is true that Mitchell's is closed and the property is for sale. My understanding (although not first hand) is that the owner of Mitchell's lost the business in a high stakes poker game - to Bill Ellis, owner of Bill's BBQ in Wilson. This closing information came from a reliable individual who was privy to the goings on.
It is a shame that Bill Ellis chose to close the place rather than continue to have someone run it for him. IMHO, Mitchell's bbq was far better than Bill's since Bill re-opened following their flood out from the hurricane a few years ago.
raleighfoodlover
Apr 24, 2005 12:54PM
View »
Video
This sounds like the makings for a Calvin Trillin piece in the New Yorker, if true.
Let's hope Ed Mitchell has another BBQ joint in him in the not too distant future.
Permalink | Reply
Late April Fools??? Please?
Wow, I hate this. Mitchell's had (in my opinion) easily the best barbecue in Wilson, and some of the best in the state.
I have noticed that business at Mitchell's has seemed slow, while the other places really do well. What a shame!
Permalink | Reply
FYI, I just called Mitchell's (knowing they are typically closed on Monday), but the phone was disconnected. No answering machine, no ring, just the beeps of a disconnected phoneline.
Since I live in the Triad and have family east of Greenville, I enjoyed stopping at Allen & Son on Friday for weekend trips, and then at Mitchell's on the way back on Sunday. I will definitely miss Ed Mitchell's barbecue.
Permalink | Reply
It's a big loss.
Bill's is just a clone of Parker's. Mitchell's offered a different take on southern food.
I hope Ed Mitchell and his brothers will get a new place going.
Permalink | Reply
i was told last weekend by a family member who lives in wilson that the business was closed due to the undesirable location and that it would be reopened in a new, more desirable location.
Permalink | Reply
Knowing what part of Wilson Mitchell's was located in, I think I can read between the lines of that explanation, but as long as they'll be back the news is good.
That also makes more sense than the "losing the place to Bill's in a high-stakes poker game" explanation.
However, it still doesn't really add up. The Mitchells sunk a TON of money into this place. All of a sudden they decide the location is no good? And what about the gigantic mural?
Permalink | Reply
And why would you close down before you were ready to open at the new location?
That just doesn't make business sense as you would lose all the revenues and employee continuity.
Although it sounds apochryphal, I still love the poker explanation. So many themes to explore in that story.
Permalink | Reply
Please forgive me for breaking into the discussion, particulary since I don't "hang out" here. But, I've chased good pig all over the South and eaten at every notable place in my home state of North Carolina. And, you're right that Ed Mitchell is the best.
Given your discussion, I thought you might want to see this article from the Wilson Daily News, which details what probably is the definitive reason for the closing of Mitchell's Barbecue. I hope he can get out from under the tax charges and get back to making great pig.
Link: http://archive.wilsondaily.com/archiv...
Permalink | Reply
Hi William, and thanks for the info. No need for any apology, we invite opinions and feedback from anyone- you certainly don't have to be a "regular" to hang here. We'll take whatever BBQ tidbits you want to throw our way. We hope to hear from you with some of your other favorites!
Permalink | Reply
actually the reason ray mitchell closed was because of an issue with the irs. he is however reopening another site on the west side of town in the near future. you were 100% right to say that mitchells is far better than bill's ever thought of being and a hell of alot cleaner. with that said being a wilson native parkers still has a place in my heart as the best all around bbq in north carolina.
Permalink | Reply