LeAnn Mueller, co-owner of la Barbecue, passed away unexpectedly this morning, June 14, according to her representatives. The press announcement noted she died peacefully and was “surrounded by friends and family.”
While the cause of her death has not been announced, Mueller was traveling as recently as two weeks ago, headed to Los Angeles with trans artist Xavier Schipani, whose art adorns the walls of la Barbecue.
Mueller was Texas barbecue royalty. The granddaughter of Taylor barbecue impresario Louie Mueller, daughter of Bobby, and sister of John, LeAnn Mueller and her family were synonymous with perfectly smoked meats.
LeAnn and her wife, Ali Clem, opened up la Barbecue as a small food truck on South First Street in 2012, complete with the long lines that signify excellent ‘cue. In November 2021, they opened a brick and mortar at 2401 E. Cesar Chavez, and the lines followed them.
Mueller was also a celebrated photographer, shooting stars like Jay Z and Willie Nelson; her work appeared on the covers of Rolling Stone and Texas Monthly magazines, among others.
Despite her success in both photography and barbecue, Mueller’s career was not without scandal. In 2012, she fired her brother John, from their shared business, JMueller BBQ, accusing him of embezzlement. She quickly reinvented the business as la Barbecue. (John died in December 2021 at age 52.) In August 2022, Mueller and Clem were indicted for workers’ compensation fraud.
LeAnn Mueller was 51 years old. Funeral arrangements are pending.
This article appears in June 9 • 2023.