Share
Tahoe Joe’s, the struggling outdoors-themed steakhouse chain that got its start in Fresno, is being bought out of bankruptcy by the company that owns Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que and other restaurant brands.
BBQ Holdings is expected to close the deal for Tahoe Joe’s five remaining restaurants on Friday, according to a company news release. The purchase includes the sole Fresno Tahoe Joe’s location at Cedar and Herndon avenues.
Launched by Fresno Restaurateur Dave Fansler
Tahoe Joe’s was founded by Fresno restaurateur Dave Fansler, who opened the original location at Shaw and Marks avenues in 1995. Fansler eventually sold the chain and has since launched other area restaurants including Yosemite Ranch, Pismo’s Coastal Grill and Westwoods BBQ.
The restaurant is known for menu items like Lake Tahoe steaks, Sierra mountain ribs, railroad camp shrimp, blue lake green beans, mountain mashers and Nevada cheesecake.
Bought Out of Bankruptcy for Just Over $5M
BBQ Holdings paid $5.2 million to take over Tahoe Joe’s and other assets from current owner Fresh Acquisitions, according to Restaurant Business, an industry focused website. Fresh Acquisitions declared bankruptcy in April.
Prior to the COVID pandemic, Fresh Acquisitions operated the Tahoe Joe’s chain and five other restaurant brands including HomeTown Buffet and Old Country Buffet with more than 90 business units. At the time of their bankruptcy filing, however, the company had closed every restaurant in their portfolio except six Tahoe Joe’s locations in Central California.
Tahoe Joe’s Location in SLO Closed in September
Then in September, Tahoe Joe’s closed its San Luis Obispo steakhouse, leaving just five operating restaurants in Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield, Roseville and Vacaville.
BBQ Holdings’ CEO Jeff Crivello said Tahoe Joe’s will complement the restaurant group’s existing roster of brands.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tahoe Joe’s into the BBQ Holdings Family,” Crivello said in a news release. “This well-loved brand will fold seamlessly into our portfolio, and we can’t wait to start working with the fantastic people who have made Tahoe Joe’s what it is today, and to get the brand on a rejuvenated path to growth.”
Possible Menu Blending with Famous Dave’s
The company hinted about the possible blending of menu items between the company’s restaurant brands.
“With Tahoe Joe’s roots in BBQ, their Famous pellet broiled steaks and chops are a perfect fit for the Famous Dave’s menu,” the release noted.

RELATED TOPICS:
Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports
1 day ago
Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms
1 day ago
Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas
1 day ago
Ukraine and Russia End Their Latest Round of Direct Peace Talks in Istanbul
30 minutes ago
Man Attacks Colorado Crowd With Firebombs, 8 People Injured
34 minutes ago
US Construction Spending Falls in April on Weakness in Single-Family Housing Projects
54 minutes ago
Wall Street Opens Lower After Trump’s Steel Tariff Threat
56 minutes ago
Smoke Shops, City Hall Will Meet in Courtroom Showdown
1 hour ago
Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo
1 day ago
Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports
1 day ago
Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms
1 day ago
Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas
1 day ago
Ukraine and Russia End Their Latest Round of Direct Peace Talks in Istanbul
30 minutes ago
Man Attacks Colorado Crowd With Firebombs, 8 People Injured
34 minutes ago
US Construction Spending Falls in April on Weakness in Single-Family Housing Projects
54 minutes ago
Wall Street Opens Lower After Trump’s Steel Tariff Threat
56 minutes ago
Smoke Shops, City Hall Will Meet in Courtroom Showdown
1 hour ago
Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo
1 day ago
Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports
1 day ago
Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms
1 day ago
Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas
1 day ago
1 Officer Killed, 1 Wounded and Another Man Dead in Los Angeles County Shooting
17 minutes ago
Categories

1 Officer Killed, 1 Wounded and Another Man Dead in Los Angeles County Shooting

Ukraine and Russia End Their Latest Round of Direct Peace Talks in Istanbul

Man Attacks Colorado Crowd With Firebombs, 8 People Injured

US Construction Spending Falls in April on Weakness in Single-Family Housing Projects

Wall Street Opens Lower After Trump’s Steel Tariff Threat

Smoke Shops, City Hall Will Meet in Courtroom Showdown
