A&M BBQ faces zoning restrictions in Sebastopol over outdoor smokers

A&M BBQ, a California restaurant praised by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, is facing zoning restrictions that prohibit the use of outdoor commercial smokers at its Sebastopol location. On October 6, Sebastopol officials voted unanimously against two zoning changes that would have permitted the restaurant to continue its current cooking methods.

The restaurant’s owner, Kris Austin, stated that the business must stop using the outdoor smokers by the end of the week. While the restaurant will remain open, the owners warned that the restriction could limit food preparation capacity and the availability of certain menu items. The dispute follows months of tension regarding the restaurant's location within an Office Commercial district, where outdoor commercial barbecues are currently prohibited.