Like the restaurant, the automated newspaper stand located just outside the front door of Phil's Bar B-Q in Eureka is empty, and a bit forlorn-looking. Through the front window can be seen a hand-drawn, dry-erase sign that communicated:  "For Sale, Closing Sunday."

Several Eureka-Wildwood Patch readers recently emailed regarding why the open pit barbecue eatery was closed over the past two weeks.

Merchants in the barbecue's vicinity said the future of the barbecue restaurant appeared to be unclear.

Julie Wood, economic development director for Eureka, said owner Phil Polizzi gave City Hall his cell phone number, and indicated he would sell the property or may reopen.

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Phil's is known for serving unique, homemade flavors and recipes, which are done on an open pit and "smoked low and slow."

The restaurant has been in business since the 1940s.

This summer, Polizzi promoted his own brand of beef jerky, sold "pig out" T-shirts, and started delivering special rib packages to customer's homes.

If Phil's Bar B-Q is closed permanently, what menu item will you most miss?