By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Feb 22, 2017 at 1:50 PM Photography: Royal Brevvaxling

It looks like it might be a while before Milwaukee can enjoy Ashley’s popular barbecue.

On Tuesday afternoon, a grease fire in the kitchen at Ashley’s Que, 124 W. National Ave., caused significant damage to the Walker’s Point restaurant, and it is currently closed as a result.

Both Ashley’s Que and its sister restaurant Ashley’s Bar-B-Que, 1501 W. Center St., have experienced a series of tough luck over the past few months.

The first round of misfortune happened Labor Day weekend, when a car drove into the Center Street spot, damaging the building. That was followed by a fire at the same location in October, forcing the carry-out restaurant to close.


(PHOTO: Bobby Tanzilo)

The family was still working to rebuild the Center Street location at the time of the Walker’s Point fire.

Owner Darnell Ashley was unavailable for comment at the time this article was published. But stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for additional details as they develop.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.