Jenkins Quality Barbecue is closing its three locations, the family-operated group of restaurants announced Sept. 2 on social media.
Jenkins, which has been in business since 1957, said on its Jenkins Quality Barbecue-Downtown Facebook page it will cease operations of all three of its restaurants at the close of business Sept. 30.
The post cited increased food and labor costs, changing consumer trends and supply chain issues as reasons for the closing.
“After 68 years of serving our Jacksonville community, we look back not with heaviness, but with our hearts brimming with gratitude,” the post read. “From all of us, we thank you. We appreciate your loyalty over the years, and we will miss you!”
Jenkins is known for its mustard-based barbecue sauces that are liberally slathered on its barbecue. They come in mild, sweet and hot flavors. Sauce orders can be placed for a limited time at jenkinsqualitybarbecue.com.
In the post, the Jenkins family said it planned to also close the barbecue sauce online shop and requested that customers place their last orders by the end of day Sept. 21. Only pint-sized bottles are available
The family urged patrons with gift cards to use them by Sept. 30.
Jenkins has locations at 830 N. Pearl St. Downtown, 5945 New Kings Road and 2025 Emerson St.
The restaurant serves ribs ($10.95 to $30), chicken ($8.50 to $19.45), pork and beef ($7.25-$7.50) barbecue. As of Sept. 2, online food orders were no longer being accepted.
Melton Jenkins Jr. and wife, Willie Mae, opened the first Jenkins on Kings Road near Spires Avenue in 1957. It served just chicken and ribs when it first opened. Three generations of the family have owned and operated Jenkins Quality Barbecue
The website says Jenkins was opened “With God, a dream and $125.”
On Sept. 30, Florida’s minimum wage increases by a dollar to $14 for non-tipped employees and $10.98 for tipped employees. It is part of a voter-approved referendum that will see the state’s minimum wage top out at $15 an hour for non-tipped workers Sept. 30, 2026.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.