Oakland’s Horn Barbecue red-tagged after fire rips through building

Two days after Horn Barbecue in West Oakland was defaced with graffiti, the restaurant’s building was red-tagged after a fire caused significant damage Tuesday morning, officials said.

The Oakland Fire Department received a call at 4:19 a.m. of a fire at the rear of the restaurant at 2534 Mandela Pkwy., Oakland Fire Department  spokesperson Michael Hunt said. Fire crews arrived at the restaurant in three minutes and saw smoke also coming out of the attic, said Hunt. The blaze was out by 4:46 a.m. 

The fire comes days after Matt Horn, the restaurant owner, shared on Instagram news of the graffiti and that vandals attempted to break into his food trailer. 

In a lengthy Instagram post, Horn called the vandals “filth that plagues our beautiful city” and urged small business owners who have been affected by crime to unite.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation, and no injuries were reported. 

A representative for Horn could not immediately provide a comment. 

City officials red-tagged the one-story building due to “concerns around structural integrity,” according to Hunt, meaning no one can enter the building. 

Councilmember Carroll Fife, who represents the district where the restaurant is located, told the Chronicle that she received a text message Tuesday morning of a photo of the fire’s aftermath and immediately called the Horn family to offer help.

Fife said the Horn family told her that it appeared the fire started from the roof “and it looks very intentional.” 

“This is heartbreaking,” Fife said.

“Oakland should be able to have nice things. Regardless of race, (people) shouldn’t be attacking small businesses but it is more difficult for Black businesses to get access to credit loans and all of the things that it takes to be successful in business,” Fife said, referring to Horn, who is Black.

One of the Bay Area’s most popular restaurants, Horn Barbecue is known for its West Coast take on Texas-style barbecue. The restaurant opened in Oct. 2020.

Reach Jessica Flores: [email protected]; Twitter: @jesssmflores