By Editor,Emma Saletta
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Iconic Texas BBQ joint closes 54-year-old restaurant
READ MORE: America’s largest barbecue chain set to close 30 more locations
By EMMA SALETTA, US AUDIENCE REPORTER
Published: 23:20 BST, 18 September 2025 | Updated: 23:20 BST, 18 September 2025
One of downtown San Antonio’s most familiar sights — and smells — is gone.
After 54 years, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q has closed its flagship restaurant, which also served as its HQ main food production plant for the chain’s more than 80 locations until last year.
The popular Texas chain shut the restaurant on September 12 as it shifts focus to a huge new headquarters nearby.
The $60 million project, on State Highway 151, spans 335,000 square feet and includes offices, a warehouse, and a production area.
The company said there are no plans to open a restaurant inside the new facility.
Founded in 1953 as a small fried chicken stand, Bill Miller grew into a household name across Texas. Today, it operates 76 Bar-B-Q locations and six Laguna Madre Seafood Co. restaurants.
In its early years, founder Bill Miller ran the business while his wife Faye worked as a cashier and hostess. Together, they raised four children, all of whom learned the restaurant business.
The flagship’s closure has left locals saying they’ll miss the smell of smoked brisket drifting across downtown.
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q shuttered its flagship location after 54 years of operation
The restaurant will be saying goodbye to the location to focus on moving headquarters
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‘Gonna miss that wonderful smokehouse scent as I pass by… downtown has changed so much it’s hardly recognizable anymore,’ a fan wrote on Facebook.
‘I used to love parking across street at Kmart, enjoying the smokehouse aroma… All of that is changed now.’
‘Please consider another location in deeper heart of downtown SA. For those of us that work in the area, we love our Bar Mill and need our tea fix,’ another fan insisted.
While Bill Miller continues to expand, many national chains haven’t been as fortunate.
Across America, restaurants have struggled over the past year.
Rising costs have pushed up menu prices, which has driven customers away.
Big name chains like Applebee’s, TGI Fridays and Boston Market have have all recently shuttered restaurants.
Chains have been worst hit in California where the minimum wage for fast food restaurants jumped to $20-an-hour from April 1.
Customers revealed they miss walking passed the smell of the restaurant
The restaurant chain announced the closure date in a sign outside the door
Last year, Mexican chain Rubio’s shut 48 locations in the state and also filed for bankruptcy.
Across America, mom-and-pop operations have also been shutting.
Fargo’s Pit BBQ in Texas closed after more than two decades of serving brisket, ribs and other barbecue classics.
TGI Fridays recently closed 30 locations, bringing its US restaurant count to 85.
Hooters underwent changes to its restaurants and policies before filing for bankruptcy in March.
Hooters had already shuttered around 40 ‘underperforming’ restaurants in June last year, including locations in Florida, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia as it bid to cut costs.
Daily Mail has reached out to Bill Miller for comment and is awaiting response.
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Iconic Texas BBQ joint closes 54-year-old restaurant
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