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A 42-year-old local barbecue chain is down to just one location.
Armadillo Willy’s abruptly closed three of its four restaurants in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, leaving just the San Mateo restaurant in operation.
Two other Armadillo Willy’s locations also shuttered earlier this year, with the Los Altos restaurant having closed Jan. 31 and its Dublin outpost April 19.
“After 40+ unforgettable years of serving up BBQ and building a community, it’s time to say goodbye,” the company posted to its Instagram on Wednesday. “Here’s to the memories, the smoke, the sauce, and the soul.”
The Texas-style barbecue company offers barbecue plates with St. Louis cut pork spare ribs, baby back ribs or 18-hour smoked Texas brisket, with sides like Texas tots, freshly baked cornbread muffins and Texas toast.
President Kevin Roberts said he decided Monday to close the three Armadillo Willy’s restaurants.
“All my capital was taken,” he said. “The state came in and took my money that I was working with. I owed them money for sales tax. I was trying to work out a deal, but it didn’t work…We just ran out of funds.”
Palo Alto native John Berwald founded Armadillo Willy’s in Cupertino in 1983, expanding to Los Altos two years later and eventually to locations including Dublin, San Mateo and San Jose.
In 1991, Roberts became a partner, leaving the company in 2006 to raise his kids. In 2018, he returned.
“I love my employees,” he said when asked what made him return. “It was a lot of fun to do, and I really enjoyed it.”
Roberts said the pandemic was when it went downhill for the company.
“We lost a third of our sales,” he said, speculating that people’s eating habits have changed and eating out is too expensive now.
Roberts doesn’t plan on closing Armadillo Willy’s in San Mateo anytime soon. He said to expect business as usual, and that catering will continue.
“It was a sad day. I feel bad for our employees and our customers and our vendors, everybody,” he said. “We’re so appreciative of all our customers and the loyalty that we had from the people that have been coming for years. And I just want to thank everybody for that.”
Armadillo Willy’s, 2260 Bridgepointe Parkway, San Mateo; 650-571-7427, Instagram: @armadillowillysbbq. Open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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