Prairie Fire announces permanent closure
The brand, which operated as a street food trader at markets and festivals across London before launching as a permanent restaurant at Wood Lane Arches in White City in early 2020, confirmed it would close this Sunday (11 Feb).
In an Instagram statement, the restaurant said: “It is with much sadness we announce the closure of Prairie Fire after the Super Bowl party next Sunday 11 Feb.
“Please visit us this week for one last brisket, PFQ Signature burger, and a cold beer.
“A heartfelt thank you to our loyal customers. Without you we never would have been able to keep doing what we love.”
No official reason for the closure has been given. However, it comes as a rising number of high-profile independent restaurants across the country have been forced to permanently shut their doors amid insurmountable cost pressures.
They include Simon Rimmer’s Didsbury restaurant Greens; Tony Rodd’s Copper & Ink restaurant in Blackheath, south east London; James Allcock Yorkshire bistro The Pig and Whistle in Beverly; and Phill and Deb Lewis’ sustainability-focused Cardiff restaurant Kindle.
Prairie Fire is the brainchild of Kansas City native Michael Gratz, who moved to the capital in 2012. Previously a chef in the US, Gratz started out cooking in one of the Olympic event kitchens, before moving on to create his own concept.
Enamoured with the iconic ‘low and slow’ barbecue style of his hometown, Gratz launched Prairie Fire the following year as a street food trader serving burnt end sandwiches to businessmen on their lunch break.
The brand subsequently established various pop up outposts across the capital, including at Mercato Metropolitano and London Fields Brewery, before opening a permanent restaurant space.
