South Side’s Double Wide Grill is set to close Sunday after 18 years.
The space, however, will remain a restaurant, serving barbecue-inspired fare as Spork Island Trading Co. An official opening date has not been determined, but possibly by late spring.
“We needed a change,” said Double Wide Grill co-owner Steve Zumoff. “We want to introduce a new idea.”
That new idea encompasses several barbecue options and tacos, and keeping some vegan and vegetarian dishes that the Double Wide Grill was known for, as well as craft cocktails, he said.
“We have customers who enjoy our vegan and vegetarian dishes,” he said. “We are still working out the menu, but plan to keep some of those offerings in the mix. We want to take our time and make sure it is the way we want it to be for our customers.”
Zumoff is partnering with Andy Tepper, owner of Spork Pittsburgh and the former Spork Pit in Garfield.
Business at the Double Wide Grill had been declining since before the 2020 pandemic, according to Zumoff. The Mars location of Double Wide Grill closed in 2021, followed by the Irwin spot in 2022.
Before it becomes Spork Island Trading Co. the place will be used for a Halloween pop-up haunted dining and drinking experience called the Cannibal Clown Café.
Starting Oct. 9 and running through Halloween, Spork Pit will serve barbecue brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, salmon and some other exotic meats. There will be sandwiches, salads and appetizers and some vegan and vegetarian options.
“There will be clowns and people are invited to dress up,” Zumoff said. “It should be fun.”
