One of Southwest Florida’s favorite barbecue joints is closing in July after operating for nearly 17 years in the Naples area.
“It is with heavy hearts to inform all of our loyal customers that the Black Eyed Pig will be closing on July 26. Though the lease goes through December 2026, there are circumstances as to why this decision has been made and that prohibit us from selling or moving to a new location,” owner Wendy Easton posted June 26 on Black Eyed Pig BBQ’s Facebook page.
Easton, the fiancee of longtime local restaurateur Carl Osburn, was left ownership of both Black Eyed Pig BBQ and Franklin Social lounge in North Naples when Osburn died of pancreatic cancer July 10, 2023, less than a week shy of his 64th birthday. Franklin Social shuttered last year, but Black Eyed Pig will operate for a few more weeks at 5307 Shirley St., just north of Pine Ridge Road. Osburn launched the hidden gem in October 2008.
“Carl was its heart and soul. He is deeply missed by all of us. We are thankful for all the wonderful memories that were made at the Black Eyed Pig and Carl’s larger-than-life personality that made it what it is today,” Easton wrote.
“Thank you to all of our loyal customers throughout the years. With your support we have had an amazing (almost) 17-year run. We will miss all of you. And a huge thank you to Carl’s awesome staff: JP, Ammy, Maegan, JD, Kaitlyn and Brittany. They have kept his BBQ dream going for two years since his sudden passing. We know he is saying ‘job well done’ and gives us his blessing. We hope to see all of you at the Black Eyed Pig before we close!”
Although off the beaten path in an industrial park, Black Eyed Pig became locally known for its pulled pork, ribs, beef brisket, and smoked turkey and sausage. A specialty is The Rodeo Hoagie — pulled pork served atop a smoked hot Italian sausage link on a toasted hoagie roll.
In 2016, Gulfshore Life listed Black Eyed Pig BBQ as one of Southwest Florida’s hidden treasures. “Don’t let the proximity to tow yards or less-than-attractive bruised swine logo of this restaurant turn you off to it. It’s a bit of a hole in the wall, yes, but a clean and delicious one, and that’s all we need from a barbecue joint. Plus, fried okra, jalapeño corn bread and Texas toast to help us mop up our deliciously dripping ribs or pulled pork, but they’ve got that covered, too,” the magazine reported.
Two years earlier in its annual “The Best of the Gulfshore” issue, Gulfshore Life raved about the collard greens at Black Eyed Pig: “Slightly bitter, slightly spicy and a whole lot of smoky. The best side dish in town.”
Black Eyed Pig BBQ’s operating hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sundays.
