Rising Beef Prices Drive Barbecue Menu Cuts, Closures

Record-high beef prices are squeezing barbecue restaurants, prompting some Texas operators to remove brisket and ribs, raise prices or absorb losses to keep staple dishes available. Beef costs at one Central Texas restaurant rose from roughly $3.50-$4 per pound to about $6, while industry owners say prices have increased about 40% over the past two years. Some restaurants are choosing to drop costly items rather than charge customers substantially more, and at least one Southern Nevada barbecue restaurant, Smoke & Fire, is closing permanently after five years, citing escalating wholesale meat costs. The USDA says average retail beef prices have reached $9.64 per pound, up 13% from a year earlier, with beef and veal prices projected to rise an average of 9.8% this year. Restaurant owners are also facing higher transportation costs, while others are negotiating with suppliers and relying on sides and other menu items to preserve affordability.