08/09/2026
Yesterday, we closed the doors to Cook Shack for the final time.
I didn't make a big announcement. There was no countdown and no "last chance" post. We just opened the doors this weekend, fired everything up and did what we've done every weekend.
Then Saturday night, I locked the doors for the last time.
I'm not going to lie. This one hurts a lot more than I thought it would.
Cook Shack has been a huge chapter of my life. There were sold out days, frustrating days, long nights, great conversations across the counter, plenty of mistakes and a whole lot of BBQ.
It never made me rich. Truthfully, most of the time it simply paid the bills to keep the building going and gave me a place to do something I genuinely love.
But what it gave me is something I'll always be proud of.
People drove from all over to eat my food. People came back weekend after weekend. You brought your families, told your friends, shared our posts and supported this little BBQ joint in Tilbury more than I ever expected.
To every single person who walked through those doors, thank you.
Life changes. Priorities change. And sometimes you have to be willing to close one chapter so you have the time and opportunity to build the next one.
Cook Shack is finished, but BBQ isn't.
Red Beard BBQ isn't going anywhere. The rubs aren't going anywhere. The smokers sure as hell aren't going anywhere.
I don't know exactly what the next chapter looks like yet. Right now, my focus is on my family, continuing to build what I've started and figuring out where this crazy BBQ journey takes us next.
For now, I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for eating my food.
Thank you for supporting me.
Thank you for telling your friends about us.
Thank you for making Cook Shack what it was.
I'm damn proud of what we built.
The fires are out.
The doors are closed.
Cook Shack has served its last plate.
Thank you, Tilbury. ❤️🔥
Kyle
