Detroit's Beloved Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q Hangs Up Its Apron After Six Decades in the North End
A handwritten note on the door announced that after decades of serving up mouthwatering ribs and chicken slathered in house-made sauces, Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q has closed its doors for good. The final day of business is set to be Sunday, February 8.
The beloved carryout spot has been a staple in Detroit's North End neighborhood since 1964 when Edward Parks first opened the doors. Over the years, the business has changed hands several times, with Roderick Parks Sr. taking over from his father and later passing it down to his son Rod Parks Jr. Despite facing challenges, including declining foot traffic and health issues with family members, Parks held on strong.
In 2014, Metro Times reported that Parks was selling an impressive 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of ribs a week, drawing in customers from the suburbs who flocked to the restaurant for its signature Southern-style sauces. When asked about the future of the North End neighborhood during an interview with Metro Times back then, Roderick Parks Sr. remained optimistic, saying that while the area had undergone significant changes, he was confident that it would "survive and prosper."
However, it appears that time has taken its toll on the beloved institution. With only a few days left to operate, Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q is now accepting walk-in orders only as it prepares to say goodbye to its loyal customers.
Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q is located at 7444 Beaubien St., Detroit, and can be found online at parksoldstylebar-b-q.com. For one last hurrah, fans of the restaurant will have a chance to visit and enjoy some of its legendary barbecue before it's too late.
A handwritten note on the door announced that after decades of serving up mouthwatering ribs and chicken slathered in house-made sauces, Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q has closed its doors for good. The final day of business is set to be Sunday, February 8.
The beloved carryout spot has been a staple in Detroit's North End neighborhood since 1964 when Edward Parks first opened the doors. Over the years, the business has changed hands several times, with Roderick Parks Sr. taking over from his father and later passing it down to his son Rod Parks Jr. Despite facing challenges, including declining foot traffic and health issues with family members, Parks held on strong.
In 2014, Metro Times reported that Parks was selling an impressive 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of ribs a week, drawing in customers from the suburbs who flocked to the restaurant for its signature Southern-style sauces. When asked about the future of the North End neighborhood during an interview with Metro Times back then, Roderick Parks Sr. remained optimistic, saying that while the area had undergone significant changes, he was confident that it would "survive and prosper."
However, it appears that time has taken its toll on the beloved institution. With only a few days left to operate, Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q is now accepting walk-in orders only as it prepares to say goodbye to its loyal customers.
Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q is located at 7444 Beaubien St., Detroit, and can be found online at parksoldstylebar-b-q.com. For one last hurrah, fans of the restaurant will have a chance to visit and enjoy some of its legendary barbecue before it's too late.
after 6 decades in detroit!! they've been servin up those delish ribs & chicken sauces 4eva 
edward parks started it all back in 1964 & it's crazy to think that only a few ppl remember the good ol days 
. rderick parks sr said detroit would "survive n prosper" back in 2014, but i guess time got the best of them 
. can we pls save this iconic spot or get some kinda tribute? 
I remember my grandma talking about Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q when she was a kid. She always raved about the ribs and said it was her favorite spot for BBQ in Detroit. 
It's crazy how things change... the North End neighborhood used to be so vibrant, but now it seems like it's losing its old charm 
️... I mean, who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned BBQ joint?! 
Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q has been a Detroit staple for over 60 years, and it's crazy that they're hanging up their apron after six decades of serving up those tender ribs and chicken 
. It's no wonder people are flocking to the North End from the suburbs - those Southern-style sauces are LEGENDARY! 
I'm gonna miss this place so much... what's next for the North End neighborhood? 
#RIPParksBarBQ #DetroitFoodScene #BBQLovers
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it's crazy how time can be so unforgiving. but at the same time, i can kinda understand why they'd wanna hang up their aprons after all these years - the north end neighborhood has definitely changed a lot since edward parks first opened the place back in 1964 
still, it's gonna be sad to see this beloved institution go...
. I still remember that one time when I went there with my friends from college and we all got food comas after eating those BBQ babies 
. Anyways, I'm gonna miss their chicken thighs so much... who's gonna fill that void in our North End community?!
. I mean, Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q has been around since '64 - that's even older than my grandma (and she's still kicking 
). I can remember when they first opened up, it was like a little slice of heaven right here in the North End. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone good and the sauces... oh man, the sauces were outta this world 
.
! But, you know what? It's not all bad news 
! The fact that they're still accepting walk-in orders means they get to spend one last day with their loyal customers 
. And think about it, they've been serving up delicious ribs and chicken for 61 years! That's like, a whole lot of people enjoying some amazing food 
. Plus, the North End neighborhood will always have that special Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q spirit 
. It might be sad to see them go, but I'm sure their legacy will live on in Detroit's BBQ scene 
. 6 decades is a long time, they must have seen some ups and downs in the area. It's crazy how things can change so much over time 
. The thought of not being able to get that famous ribs and sauce is a bummer