Terry Black’s Barbecue Sued Because of Smoke

Terry Black’s Barbecue is being sued by its neighbors over barbecue smoke, as reported by The Statesman. The 15 people who filed the lawsuit say that the constant smoke from the restaurant’s pits is "adversely affecting Plaintiffs' use and enjoyment of their property." The plaintiffs are asking for compensation for the permanent injury they say the smoke has produced. All of them allege that the restaurant’s negligence has resulted or will result in medical care expenses, physical pain, mental anguish and physical impairments.

And this isn't the first time Terry Black's has fielded an outcry. In response to neighbors earlier complaints about the restaurant’s smoke, owner Mike Black reworked the pits and switched his smoking schedule.

This spring, Austin city council member Sabino Renteria proposed a regulation code where restaurants wouldn’t be allowed to use wood or charcoal grills within one hundred feet of residential property. A video of the smoke from Terry Black’s was shared at a city council meeting as evidence to support the change. As part of the stakeholder process, the City Council Committee on Economic Development voted against the potential code, but it is set to appear again before the Health and Human Services Committee on Monday, August 3.

Eater has reached out to Terry Black’s Barbecue for comments. Watch this space for updates.