One of St. Louis’ most notable barbecue spots has closed—at least for now.
According to social media posts, The Shaved Duck (2900 Virginia), the 17-year-old, award-winning restaurant, quietly shuttered mid-month. Multiple employees confirmed the closure on Facebook.
A sign on the restaurant’s window reads, “Closed until further notice. Sorry for any inconvenience!!” Beyond that, ownership has made no official statement regarding whether the closure is temporary or permanent.
SLM has reached out to the owners for comment.
The Backstory
In 2009, Scottish Arms owner Ally Nisbet transformed a former neighborhood grocery store in South City into a barbecue restaurant with the tagline “barbecue, folk, and soul.” The Shaved Duck quickly earned a following for its Duroc pork ribs, brisket, burnt ends, smoked-then-fried wings, and fries topped with pulled pork and rib meat.
The menu also featured uncommon items for a St. Louis barbecue joint, including duck confit/smoked duck breast with juniper cherry jam, roasted duck chili, loaded smoked potato salad, smoked tri-tip, beef ribs, smoked meatloaf, crispy Brussels sprouts, and seafood and andouille gumbo.
Along with a strong craft beer and bourbon selection and regular live music, the restaurant became a local favorite. It also earned praise from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host Guy Fieri, who called it Missouri’s “best BBQ.” Mashed.com shared: “When Guy Fieri made a visit, he tried the crispy-skinned smoked duck breast and the host couldn’t put it down… Or go for the smothered fries piled high with a whole bunch of smoked pork and homemade cheese sauce, which Fieri called ‘killer.”
In 2021, a satellite Shaved Duck opened as part of an experimental food counter concept inside the Schnucks store in Kirkwood.
In late 2022, a burst pipe at the original location caused significant damage, including flooding and a collapsed ceiling, forcing a closure that lasted nearly a year. The restaurant quietly reopened in November 2023 under the ownership of Adam Kaufman, Joshua Powlishta, and James Heredia, whose goal was to preserve the restaurant’s identity and menu.
Heredia, a friend of Nisbet, told the Riverfront Times that Nisbet “wouldn’t have sold it unless somebody knew somebody who was willing to take over but would keep it the same. He knew I’d be that person. I want to focus on making the food exactly what it was—and exactly what it needs to be.”
More information on the closure—and any potential reopening—will be shared as it becomes available.
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