Colorado BBQ Joint Shuts Down After Staff Mutiny About Taxes

A popular, successful and highly recognized barbecue restaurant is going through a "thing" - to say the least - as its staff collectively came together and decided to walk out, shutting down the restaurant over what they allege are sketchy tax practices on the part of its owner.

They took matters into their own hands while the owner was out of town, closing down the restaurant and posting a sign on the door as they left to go find new jobs.

AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q in Denver has seen a fair amount of success since they opened up shop in 2018, even being one of only five barbecue restaurants worldwide recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2023, receiving the Bib Gourmand award. The award is given to restaurants that offer quality food at a good value.

The staff alleges that the restaurant owner has been taking taxes out of their paychecks as expected, but failing to report those to the government. In some cases the last several months, they claim their wages have been paid via non-traditional methods like Venmo, Zelle and Apple Pay, rather than getting an actual paycheck with a pay stub.

The staff says that the owner has been out of town, in Mexico, operating another restaurant location for the last several months. So, while the owner was away, without contacting him first, they took matters into their own hands and decided to shut the restaurant down and go find other jobs.

Allegedly these practices have extended beyond just the AJ's location at 2180 S. Delaware St., and have also been happening at other restaurants in the state operated by the same owner. 9News in Denver has the complete story, with a response from the owner and what may happen next.