“It is with heavy heart to announce that The Brick Pit will be closing, probably in early January. The exact date is to be announced because we have a few obligations we are committed to.

“Thank you for the years of support and be sure to get by and see us and say goodbye.”

That was the Facebook post of Brick Pit’s Mike Bailey last weekend, the one who started (and since ended) a GoFundMe page to purchase the restaurant from owner Bill Armbrecht, who has dealt with major health issues over the past year.

The popular restaurant has been on TV shows such as Food Network’s “Tailgate Challenge” (on which they were crowned champions!), “Man vs. Food,” “Man-Fire-Food,” “101 Best Places to Eat in America” and “Amazing Eats.” More than 60 magazines, books and other publications have written about our little barbecue place, and the stars have come out as well.

President Bill Clinton, Nicolas Cage, Haley Joel Osment, Freddie Highmore, Danny Lipford and football greats Brett Favre and Gene Stallings have darkened the door a time or two.

It looks like time is running out to get your name on the wall. As soon as we hear of a closing date we will post it. We hate to see this one go, but some things don’t last forever.

Downtown Cajun Cook-Off slated for March 24
We just learned the 4th annual Downtown Cajun Cook-Off is slated for Saturday, March 24. Once again, Cathedral Square will be hustling and bustling with competitors from local restaurants and organizations presenting their best Cajun fare.

Presented by Cunningham Bounds LLC, this fundraiser full of food, drink and live music benefits the Child Advocacy Center of Mobile.

I’m just glad it doesn’t coincide with St. Patrick’s Day again. That nearly killed me!

Tickets are only $10 in advance and make great stocking stuffers. Contact Elaine with the CAC at 251-432-1101 or visit www.cacmobile.org/buynow.shtml.

Siam Thai Cuisine delights WeMo
I can’t get enough Thai food, so it’s worth mentioning new restaurant Siam Thai Cuisine is making a name for itself on Hillcrest between Airport Boulevard and Grelot Road.

A smart-looking dining room and great reviews make this a destination worth crossing Interstate 65 to visit. A look at the menu tells you it isn’t straight Thai, though. Summer rolls, sushi, potstickers and curries suggest more of an Asian melting pot. We don’t mind that at all.

As a bonus, they just got their liquor license. Check them out at 915 Hillcrest Road.

Cream & Sugar’s future new management
After nearly 30 years in the restaurant biz, Susan Carley is hanging up her apron. The owner of OGD’s Cream & Sugar Café is leaving the coffee shop/eatery in the hands of the team at Kitchen on George. Backed by Virginia College’s Culinary School, they will run both places, one as upscale and the other as casual, rebranding it as Cream & Sugar Café on George. Expect the change mid-January.

Thanks, Susan, for years of service. Our last-minute holiday treats will be the cherry cordial cake balls!

Recyle!