The culinary scene in Old Town Scottsdale has changed with the closure of Starlite BBQ & Whiskey Bar. The upscale barbecue restaurant, known for its combination of smoked meats and whiskey cocktails, has permanently closed after six years at its location on the northeast corner of Indian School and Miller roads. Although it was a venture by Walter Sterling, the chef and restaurateur behind Phoenix's Ocotillo, no specific reasons have been provided for the restaurant’s closure.
Launched in February 2018 by the Ocotillo team, including Sterling and co-chefs Sacha and Alex Levine, Starlite BBQ aimed to introduce a new take on barbecue to Scottsdale’s dining scene, utilizing pecan and mesquite woods for their smoked delicacies. Amidst an industrial yet sleek setting, it successfully carved a niche as a casual destination for barbecue lovers for over half a decade. According to a statement obtained by Phoenix New Times, "Arizona doesn't really have a style of barbecue, so we have to borrow," Sterling said. "We're not trying to create our own style but we're trying to do some things representative of Arizona."
The sudden closure of Starlite BBQ has surprised many patrons and fans, as indicated by recent reviews on online platforms. One user’s latest comment on Yelp, "this was probably our favorite place to eat and are SO sad that it's closed and so abruptly. We loved supporting this place, truly lovely people who worked there, best ribs EVER and hope you will be back," as noted by Phoenix New Times.
This is not the first closure in Sterling's culinary portfolio that the Scottsdale community has experienced recently; another restaurant he operated, Chantico, a modern Mexican eatery, closed and went up for sale after nearly four years just three months ago. However, Ocotillo and its Sidecar Social Club are reported to remain in business, continuing to operate in Phoenix's competitive restaurant scene. Fans of Sterling's work can still enjoy offerings at these locations. Details regarding the closure were minimal, with Mouth by Southwest reporting that Starlite BBQ & Whiskey Bar has closed after six years, with no reason given.
