Beloved barbecue joint closes Charlotte-area restaurant after nearly a decade

After nearly a decade, Mac’s Speed Shop has ended its run in Matthews.

The Charlotte-based barbecue joint, known for its pulled pork and slow-smoked meats, closed its Matthews restaurant after failing to reach an agreement with the landlord to remain at 142 E. John Street, the Charlotte Business Journal first reported.

Mac’s had operated that location since 2017.

“We love Matthews and would consider another location if the right opportunity was available,” co-owner Wynn Davis told the CBJ.

Mac’s Matthews restaurant was listed as “permanently closed” as of Tuesday, June 9, but it’s unclear when its last day in business was. It was also scrubbed from the list of locations on the restaurant’s website.

CharlotteFive reached out to Mac’s Hospitality Group, the restaurant’s parent company, for more information on Tuesday but didn’t immediately hear back.

The beloved barbecue chain has four other Charlotte-area locations, including spots in Steele Creek, Concord and Cornelius. Just last year, Mac’s celebrated 20 years at its original restaurant in South End.

“We just wanted a place where we could meet up with friends, gather, ride our motorcycles, maybe have a cold beer and listen to some live music,” co-owner Hall Johnston told CharlotteFive at the time.

“Everybody laughed at us, saying we’d never make anything happen.”

Mac’s award-winning barbecue, pulled pork and wide variety of craft beers have been key to its longevity in the Carolinas, and the restaurant is showing no signs of slowing down.

After closing its chapter in Matthews, the restaurant has plans to open a new location in Fort Mill, South Carolina this summer.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Location: 142 E John St, Matthews, NC 28105

Location: Various

Cuisine: Barbecue, craft beer

Instagram: @macspeedshop