(photo from Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette)

Shortly after dinner rush this past Monday night Wilson’s Bar-B-Q caught on fire and quickly erupted into an inferno as the business that has called the North Side home for 59 years was left a charred reminder of the past.

Wilson’s has always held a special place in my heart as the first real BBQ I ever ate. As a kid, we would drive from Erie to visit my brother who lived in the Mexican War Streets and every trip he would take us to Wilson’s. Dad would shoot the bull with Mr. Wilson (my dad could talk to anyone as if they were old friends) while my brother and I would plow through racks of ribs and crush the chicken. I’m not lying, it was probably a mess to watch. Still is really.

When the first text arrived about the fire I was in disbelief but as the number increased I knew this was real. Twitter blew up with news and photos friends were sharing because they know of my love for Pittsburgh and barbecue. 

Here are a few local news items covering this catastrophe:

1. Fire destroys beloved North Side BBQ Wilson’s (Post-Gazette)
2. Fire destroys Wilson’s Bar-B-Q restaurant on Pittsburgh’s North Side (WTAE)
3. North Side barbecue owner uncertain about future plans after fire (TribLive)
4. Wilson’s Bar-B-Q Burns Down in Pittsburgh (Jekko News)
5. Wilson’s Bar-B-Q owner hopes to rebuild after fire guts iconic North Side business (Post-Gazette)

A GoFundMe has been started to raise $100,000 to help Wilson’s recover and rebuild. Please take a moment and donate whatever you can and help bring back not just a piece of our history but our family.

**UPDATE**
GoFundMe total as of 12/29 5:17 PM – $8,310 raised of $100,000 goal

I’ll keep the latest news on Facebook so give us a like there and join our new group of local BBQ enthusiasts. I’d love to hear your favorite stories of Wilson’s!

Peace – Love – BBQ

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