Saratoga Report Exclusive: It’s Official – PJ’s BAR-B-QSA RESTAURANT IN SARATOGA SPRINGS IS CLOSED FOR GOOD – READ BELOW FOR A BEAUTIFUL FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM PJ and CAROLYN DAVIS
It is with a mix of sadness, gratitude, and pride that we share this news: after 51 years in the barbecue business—including 42 years as proprietors of PJ’s BAR-B-Q, Inc. (more recently known as PJ’s BAR-B-QSA)—we are closing this cherished chapter of our lives. We have a pending sale of the restaurant property, scheduled to close in mid-September.
While we will be closing the restaurant, we’re pleased to share that the spirit of PJ’s BAR-B-QSA has the potential to live on. We are retaining ownership of our trademarks, logos, QSA road-trip theme and original recipes, and are offering a licensing opportunity for those interested in carrying this BBQ legacy forward. We welcome inquiries from individuals or enterprises at pjsbbq@aol.com.
Our journey began over five decades ago with a small catering business working out of our garage, and thanks to all of you, it evolved into a beloved local institution. From the very beginning, this has been a family effort, and we’re deeply proud of what we’ve built together.
We are especially grateful to our son, whose passion, loyalty, and behind-the-scenes expertise have been the backbone of our award-winning smoked meats. His ingenuity, relentless pursuit of excellence and authenticity helped define the quality and flavor our customers came to expect and love. Your dedication has truly embodied the heart and soul of our journey.
To our daughter, whose entrepreneurial spirit and creativity transformed our Crystal Beach Loganberry drink from a nostalgic beverage sold only at the restaurant into a successful 25+ year business and market leader in Buffalo, NY. Your selfless commitment, vision and wise counsel have been invaluable, helping us navigate years of key business decisions.
To both of you and your families: your loyalty, dedication, and sacrifice have been the ultimate expression of love, and the foundation that made all of this possible.
To the Saratoga community and beyond: thank you for welcoming us so warmly and supporting us so faithfully. We are grateful to the City of Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and Discover Saratoga for helping this city—and our business—thrive. It’s been an honor to be part of such a vibrant community.
To our hundreds of employees over the years: many of you started as teenagers and grew into leaders. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and friendship. You’ve helped shape the success and spirit of this incredible journey. Way to go, team!
To our purveyors, service techs, and business consultants: thank you for your dedication and professionalism through every high and low, including the challenges of the COVID era. You’ve helped us create a Taste Tour of American BAR-B-Q that we’ll always be proud of.
To our incredible customers: thank you for the friendships, the stories, the smiles, and the support. You’ve touched our hearts, whether you were regulars or traveled from afar, visiting students from our teaching days, or someone who simply stopped in for a bite and left a memory behind. Your thoughtful and creative gifts and kind words have meant the world to us.
A special thank you to the event planners in particular Dr Doo Wop, Big D and Sam, and community members who brought the magic to our Classic Car Nights, Bike Nights, and charity events. And of course, we’ll never forget the energy and excitement of our Buffalo Bills Backers game days. Go Bills!
Though we’re closing our doors, the legacy of PJ’s has the potential to live on. If you, or someone you know, is interested in continuing the journey, please reach out; we’d love to hear from you.
As we turn the page, we’re filled with gratitude for the wonderful memories we’ve made and the dreams we’ve realized, beyond belief! Our next adventure will carry us forward with our children, grandchildren, and friends in Saratoga Springs, NY, Sarasota, FL and Pittsburgh, PA.
From the bottom of our hearts—thank you
Happy Trails to All Who Shared the Journey!
PJ and Carolyn ❤️
Publisher’s note: I thank PJ and Carolyn Davis for decades of incredible food, fun and hospitality at their wonderful restaurant. Saratoga Race Track and PJ’s Barbecue/PJ’s BAR-B-QSA have been my two favorite places in Saratoga Springs since I moved here. I also thank them for providing this farewell message in advance exclusively to Saratoga Report. Finally, I wish them a very happy and so well-deserved retirement. They both had careers as school teachers in their younger years so if ever a retirement was well deserved, it was this one. Congratulations PJ and Carolyn – you are going out on top!
-Dan De Federicis
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