After 75 years in Bellflower, barbecue veteran Chris’ & Pitt’s BBQ has announced that its location at 9839 Artesia Blvd., in Bellflower is closed. No reason for the closure was given in an announcement by the restaurant on its Facebook page that was posted on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
“With grateful hearts, we say goodbye to our beloved location and thank you to all of our loyal customers and dedicated employees who have made the past 75 years so special,” the restaurant stated on its post.
However, the BBQ spot isn’t completely disappearing from the area, since the post also noted that its sole remaining location at 9243 Lakewood Blvd., in Downey, will stay open.
“We are truly honored to have been a part of your lives and our community for three-quarters of a century. Thank you for 75 great years of memories, friendship, and support,” the post continued.
Calls to the Downey restaurant were unanswered and the phone number for the Bellflower location seemed to be disconnected.
Chris’ & Pitt’s is known for classic barbecue dishes, including ribs and steaks and other dishes cooked over live woodfire as well as for its distinct rustic signage and faux log cabin-style wooden lodge exterior.
The late Chris George Pelonis founded the Chris’ & Pitt’s barbecue chain in 1949 with his first restaurant in South Gate. The chain grew to 14 restaurants, from Bellflower to Anaheim to Sante Fe Springs to Los Angeles. During the 1950s, Pelonis developed his barbecue sauce and it was a top seller in 11 Western states.
Restaurant fans reacted on Facebook with sorrow and shared fond memories of the restaurant.
“I am so sorry to loose you. I grew up in Downey but as an adult I always lived in Cerritos and will miss you every holiday, birthday or fun filled summer day when my family and I remember all the fantastic ribs we have consumed from Bellflower Chris and Pitts,” one post from a Facebook user named Joann Stanton stated.
Another user named Jeff Haibel posted about his family history with the restaurant.
“My folks took us there in the 50’s, I took my kids there , my son took his kids there , so it’s been a family tradition for a long time,” he stated.