Earl's Rib Palace Reopens Reno Avenue Spot After Year-Long Rebuild

Residents near the western stretch of Reno Avenue can once again grab ribs from Earl’s Rib Palace. The restaurant at 4414 W. Reno Ave. reopened on Monday, Oct. 26, ending a 375-day closure caused by a fire last October.

The blaze on Oct. 17, 2025, damaged the roof and structure of the building, forcing the longtime location to shut down. The rebuilt space keeps the casual atmosphere of the original while featuring an updated dining room and a renovated kitchen.

Brig Hatch, the general manager, noted that the crew spent several weeks training in the new facilities before welcoming customers back. Hatch told the Oklahoma Gazette that the community response during the outage confirmed the need to rebuild. “The outpouring of support from our community showed us exactly why we had to rebuild,” Hatch said.

The reopening marks the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City-based chain, which has served barbecue since 1996. The company now operates five locations throughout the metro area and employs more than 200 people.

The menu at the Reno Avenue location includes hickory-smoked meats, fried okra, and the Smokestack sandwich. The restaurant also offers bacon-wrapped “Earlapeños.” Visitors can check current hours and menu details at earlsribpalace.com.