JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lines down the street, parking lots full, and extended wait times for those ribs smothered in the special mustard-based sauce were the scene on Wednesday at the downtown Jenkins Quality Barbecue location.
After the announcement that Jenkins Barbecue would be closing all its stores by the end of September, Jacksonville residents were determined not to miss out on their last plate, featuring the main item on the menu: the sauce.
“I stopped by today to grab some sauce, but I just heard that they’re out. So, of course, the Jenkins barbecue sauce is the boss, and as soon as they get some back in, I’m looking forward to grabbing me a few jars,” Sarge Hall said. And even if they got a gallon, I’m gonna grab a gallon.”
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The family-owned business was founded in 1957. It cited increasing food and labor costs, evolving consumer preferences and chain-related problems as the reasons for the closures.
Online orders have shattered records as people from all over Jacksonville rushed to get their hands on a bottle.
“I came all the way from Atlantic Beach to come get some amazing Jenkins barbecue for sure,” Hall said.
Millicent Fullilove-Jones said she will do everything she has to do to ensure she has the sauce.
“I’m gonna be back probably every other day, until they’re gone, till they’re closed,” she said.
The restaurant said in an online post on Wednesday that the sauce demand had outpaced production, causing them to cap the orders to a two-bottle maximum per person.
“Well, we just gotta do what we have to do. It’s the memories that we will have,” one person said.
The last chance to place orders for the barbecue sauce is on Sept. 21, and the stores officially close up shop on Sept. 30.