SAPULPA, Okla. — After 60 years in business, family-owned, Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse will close its doors permanently on December 31, 2022, the business announced on social media on Sunday.

The closure follows the death of its owner, Edmond “Tex” Slyman, in July after a long illness. Slyman’s uncle, Fred Joseph, founded the legendary steakhouse in 1962. Joseph began making barbecue in the back room of his local grocery store, Drumright, and when demand grew, he closed the store and remodeled it into a small restaurant. Slyman purchased and took over the business in 1972 upon his uncle’s retirement, turning his dream into a huge success.

After a fire destroyed the original restaurant in 1978, Slyman relocated it to Sapulpa right on Route 66, turning it into a huge success and becoming a dining staple in the region. The restaurant is known throughout the area for its BBQ, steaks, and Lebanese cuisine like tabbouleh, cabbage rolls and hummus.

“As a family, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to close Freddie’s at the end of this year,” said owner Sherian Slyman. “We want to express our deepest gratitude to the people of Oklahoma and beyond for their many decades of patronage and support. We invite our loyal customers to join us throughout the holiday season to get their final fix of Freddie’s.”

Freddie’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. through December.

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