Upper Ninth Ward vegan favorite Sneaky Pickle is under closure after a fire mysteriously burned the back of the building. A press release on Thursday (March 28) states that the restaurant’s walk-in cooler and its contents were apart of the blaze. A GoFundMe Page started Wednesday morning with the goal of employee relief. It places the fire’s occurrence on Tuesday evening. A cause for the fire has yet to be determined.
Sneaky Pickle owners Alexis and Ben Tabor started the Bywater eatery in 2014. It has gained traction in the five years since then as a neighborhood favorite offering delectable options for vegan, vegetarian, and meat-eating customers alike.
The restaurant is expected to be closed throughout the month of April. However, the extent of the damage has yet to be measured. Owners estimate that rebuilding will take about a month, but that the month starts once cleanup can be finished.
Nola.com reported that a Sneaky Pickle rep. has described reopening as “only a hope at these early stages.” We’re confident that community support will buoy this spot until they can swing their doors back open.
Alex Tabor and business partner Uznea Bauer will seek to continue running their weekend wine bar, Mouthfeel, in a portion of the restaurant while rebuilding takes place. The Thursday through Friday spot has been operating for six months.