Walnut Creek has lost one of its longtime barbecue stops — but fans of Kinder’s famous ball tip sandwiches, ribs, deli counter and catering do not have to say goodbye to the local institution entirely.
Kinder’s Meats Deli BBQ has closed its location at 1293 Parkside Drive, a second Walnut Creek outpost that had been serving customers since late 2012. The restaurant was consolidated into Kinder’s remaining Walnut Creek location at 1831 Ygnacio Valley Road, according to an update attributed to company owner Justin Kinder.
There is particularly good news for employees and regular catering customers: staff members and catering accounts from the Parkside restaurant were transferred to the Ygnacio Valley location, according to the same update and reporting from Diablo Mag.
The Parkside restaurant had opened as Kinder’s second Walnut Creek location, joining the established Ygnacio Valley Road shop. At the time, company officials said the newer location would help address parking challenges at the original restaurant while giving customers a more convenient option closer to downtown.
Kinder’s has deep East Bay roots. The business traces its origins to a San Pablo butcher shop opened by John Kinder in 1946, before growing into a regional name known for barbecue, deli sandwiches, meats, marinades, sauces and catering.
The closure does mean Parkside regulars will have to drive a little farther for their usual order, whether that is a ball tip sandwich, tri-tip, tequila lime ribs or a loaded protein bowl. But the move appears to be a consolidation rather than the end of Kinder’s in Walnut Creek.
Kinder’s current restaurant site continues to list Walnut Creek among its California locations, with the surviving restaurant at 1831 Ygnacio Valley Road.
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