Influx Of Chain Restaurants Killed Burlington BBQ Joint

BURLINGTON, MA -- Lester's Roadside BBQ, which closed earlier this month, may have been the victim of an influx of chain restaurants into Burlington, according to a post on its Facebook page. The post did not make clear whether or not there were plans to reopen Lester's, which had serving up ribs and brisket on Cambridge Street in Burlington since 2005.

The post came as a response to a Patch article that was posted on the restaurant's Facebook page and announced the closing earlier this month. Fans of the restaurant had posted messages as well as questions about whether or not Lester's planned to reopen.

"I don't know what the next steps will be for the owner. I will certainly keep folks up to date as I hear them," the post said. "This is a sad time, With the influx of restaurants, mostly chains, the single proprietor is an anomaly. Even large chains, such as Chili's are losing business."

Earlier this summer Lester's was closed and a "Seized For Nonpayment Of Taxes" was posted on the front of the restaurant. The owner's said it was a paperwork snafu, and the restaurant reopened a few days later after the issue was cleared up.

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File photo by Dave Copeland/Patch.