‘Heavy Hearts’: Mallard Creek BBQ ends after 93 years

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Queen City staple, the Mallard Creek BBQ, is closing down after 93 years.

Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church is retiring the “granddaddy of barbecues,” which was used to fund both local and world missions as well as support the church’s building fund.

The church says generational leadership has stepped aside, causing some gaps to arise. The BBQ has been an annual Queen City tradition since 1929, only taking a break during the COVID pandemic.

In 1929, Mallard Creek Presbyterian was under construction, building Sunday school rooms at the start of the Great Depression. The deacons created the barbecue to raise money when the church was unable to pay the contractor.

We want to thank everyone for their devotion and dedication to the glorious mission, and we especially want to thank all of the members of the BBQ Committee both past and present who have represented our congregation so tirelessly through the years to build this strong tradition.

We want to thank the countless thousands of neighbors who have visited the BBQ over the years for good food, fellowship, homecomings of sorts, and contributions to missions to continue to move our Lord’s work ahead.

Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church