East Side Barbecue Clunker Neely's Gets Smoked Out

Neely's Barbecue Parlor — the joint venture between Merchants Hospitality and Food Network chefs Pat & Gina Neely — is closed for good. Last night was the restaurant's farewell service. The restaurant opened in 2011 with a menu that included regional favorites from all over the South, but the restaurant failed to get much attention from the professional critics, and the early word was not good. The restaurant landed on the Eater Deathwatch two months after opening. Merchants Hospitality also operates Philippe Chow, Pound & Pence, Industry Kitchen, and Art Bar. Last night, an employee confirmed that the group had plans to open another restaurant in the space, but not with the Neely's. Stay tuned for more details on the future of the space as they become available.