Second Fire at Louie Mueller Barbecue Destroys Original Brick Pit
Smoke-stained Taylor barbecue temple will re-open
By Virginia B. Wood, 3:45PM, Mon. Feb. 25, 2013
The grease fire that broke out at Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor Saturday morning reignited Sunday and completely destroyed the restaurant's original ceramic brick pit. Third generation owner Wayne Mueller hopes to have his family's iconic Texas barbecue joint open again by the end of the week.
"The good news is, we've got three other pits on the property that are seasoned and ready to go," Wayne Mueller said this morning, "but the Williamson County Health Department estimated it would be a couple more days before we can start serving food again because of the smoke and water damage."
Although the fire probably added another 50 years of smoke stains to the sepia-toned walls of the iconic Central Texas barbecue temple, damage to the building appears to have been small, except for the loss of the glazed brick pit that dated back to 1959
Mueller went on to say he was already taking bids for a replacement pit and hopes to have it rebuilt and seasoned for use in the next couple of months. And although the venerable pit could not be saved, it will live on and provide supporters of the business a way contribute to the future success, based on this information from Louie Mueller's Facebook page:
"We will be salvaging as many porcelain-lined, exterior bricks and squares of steel plate lids as possible. Each brick or Steel Square will be marked commemorating its heritage as Louie Mueller Barbecue's 1st brick pit, in operation from 1959 to 2013. Each brick / Steel Square will be signed, numbered, and include a certificate outlining its pedigree. Proceeds will be used to offset out-of-pocket expenses incurred in rebuilding the new brick pit. Prices and ordering instructions of the bricks and Steel Squares will be determined once demotion is complete."
Louie Mueller Barbecue
206 W. Second in Taylor 512/352-6206
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Louie Mueller barbecue pit destroyed by fire, Louie Mueller Barbecue, Taylor, Texas, Wayne Mueller, Williamson County Health Department
