Bob’s Barksdale Restaurant Closed Indefinitely Following Fire

The Midtown-based greasy spoon diner suffered a kitchen fire on Monday, June 3.
Bob's Barksdale Restaurant Closed Indefinitely Following Fire
Photo: Courtesy of Google Earth Pro

An old-school Midtown diner has indefinitely closed its doors following a fire.

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Located at 237 S Cooper St, Bob’s Barksdale Restaurant suffered a kitchen fire on Monday, June 3. The blaze was contained to the back wall but destroyed the stove. In addition to the destruction caused by the fire, water damage ensued from the fire suppression system sprinklers.

Owner Beth Henry told The Daily Memphian that she plans to rebuild the kitchen, pending the insurance company’s assessment of the damages. She expressed gratitude for the support from both her regular customers and the larger local community.

Since her husband and former co-owner Bob Henry passed away ten years ago, the eatery has endured a series of misfortunes. In 2020, the pandemic forced Bob’s Barksdale to close for 80 days, and in 2022, a car crash into the building’s foyer caused a 57-day delay in operations.

Henry noted that the restaurant’s location in an older building contributes to longer inspection times, which also delayed the reopening after the car crash.

“I woke up this morning, and it just hit me again,” Henry told The Daily Memphian. “This really did happen. This is going to be a long haul.”

What Now Memphis will update this page as Bob’s Barksdale Restaurant rebuilds in Midtown.

Cat Broughton

Cat Broughton

Cat Broughton is a creative lifestyle writer with a passion for exploring the art of storytelling. She graduated from the University of Memphis with a BA in English, where she honed her skills in crafting compelling narratives. When she's not putting pen to paper, you can usually find her perfecting her downward dog, eating vegan food, and sporting platform sandals, though usually not at the same time.
Cat Broughton

Cat Broughton

Cat Broughton is a creative lifestyle writer with a passion for exploring the art of storytelling. She graduated from the University of Memphis with a BA in English, where she honed her skills in crafting compelling narratives. When she's not putting pen to paper, you can usually find her perfecting her downward dog, eating vegan food, and sporting platform sandals, though usually not at the same time.

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