CC's Barbecue Pit to close

The barbecue joint that led the recent charge into North Jersey, has given up the fight.

CC's Barbecue Pit in Haledon, which opened 13 months ago -- ahead of Bourbon BBQ, Smitty's Smokehouse and Backwoods BBQ Grill -- is closing July 12, owner Chris Rogge said today.

"I don't think the whole concept is catching on in this area as much as I thought it would," said Rogge (pictured).

Rogge and his wife, Caroline, were inspired to start CC's after spending six years in Tennessee, where folks know barbecue. They felt that North Jersey could sustain a new barbecue venture, but they didn't have the resources to open in an affluent town.

"We couldn't afford to go out and buy some place, and we couldn't afford big rent. This was pretty much our deal," Chris said. "We were going to do this and take it from there."

They chose a small takeout spot, with room for about a dozen seats, on Belmont Avenue in Haledon, and waited for customers to come. And they did. Somewhat. Initial customer reviews were favorable, and the restaurant was featured in local newspapers, including The Record. But the business wasn't sustained, even with William Paterson University a mile away.

"We're just not getting the amount of business we need in this location," he said. "We came to realize we have to cut our losses at some point. We really have no choice .. we're not making the money we need to and we don't really see it picking up this summer.

CC's isn't the only barbecue joint struggling. Bourbon BBQ in Wyckoff is still without its founding chef Gary Needham, who is essentially on an indefinite vacation until the restaurant's finances improve. Smitty's Smokehouse in Lyndhurst is still recovering after a roofer accidentally set the building on fire in its first week of business, though business has been strong, owner Andrew Grett said yesterday. (Backwoods in Westwood is still new, but customers have been enthusiastic, executive chef Jay Lippin said today.)

Rogge said he may take another stab at barbecue in North Jersey, but for now, he's likely returning to his previous life as a paralegal; his wife is a retail store manager. He's taken the unusual step of staying open for a few more weeks so customers can get one last bite of his smoky pulled pork and dry-rubbed ribs.

"The restaurant is still bringing in a little money for us, and some money is better than no money," he said. "We're paying July rent, so we'd might as well give it half the month."

Comments

[Sam]

This is a major disappointment. We finally get some good BBQ places in North Jersey, and now one closes! Although I only managed to get to CC's a few times, I enjoyed each meal I got there. The food was very good and the prices were reasonable. The mac & cheese and mashed potatoes were awesome accompaniments to the beef brisket!

Bourbon is very good, but inconsistent, and their sides need a lot of work (the meats are great though). I want to try Backwoods, but I have a feeling it's too fancy/expensive for my tastes. Smitty's is simply too far for me to go.

Good luck to Chris and Caroline. I'll be sure to get there for one last meal before they close.

[Pedro]

I don't know. I tried Bourbon BBQ a few times and it's very lacking in service and not that good in taste. The Mason Jar in Mahwah has been there since the 70s and serves high quality BBQ on a consistent basis.

[Brian]

Just went in there tonight for the 2nd time, having just "discovered" it a few weeks ago. Very disappointed to see it would be closing. I think Haledon/N Haledon are tought locations for restaurants - not much drive thru traffic.

[Jill]

Perhaps everyone who wants barbecue is going up to Bailey's Smokehouse in Blauvelt, NY where Dave Finkelstein (formerly of Fink's Funky and Stickey's) is dishing up copious quantities of utterly amazingly good bar food and his unsurpassed barbecue. Was up there last weekend and by 6 PM Saturday the place was packed.

We've also been to Backwoods, and color me unimpressed. The quality of the meat is good, but the seasoning is unassertive and the place is ridiculously pricey for barbecue, when you can go another 8 miles to Blauvelt and two people can eat till more than sated for under 40 bucks. "Fine dining barbecue restaurant" is kind of an oxymoron, IMHO.

[Karin]

What a major disappointment to see this wonderful restaurant close. How I wish I had known they were closing so I could've enjoyed one last amazing meal of Chris' "to die for" affordable baby back ribs. I will miss having CC's in my neighborhood and the warm welcome and conversation I could count on each time I stopped in. Wishing Chris and Caroline all the best.