Original Beaver’s closes for the summer

>> Click to see barbecue joints in Texas that are worth the drive. >> Beaver's on Westheimer serves a barbecue sampler platter. >> Click to see barbecue joints in Texas that are worth the drive. >> Beaver's on Westheimer serves a barbecue sampler platter. Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Original Beaver’s closes for the summer 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

The owners of the original Beaver's at 2310 Decatur off the Washington corridor have decided to give the restaurant a summer vacation. The restaurant has apparently closed and will reopen in the fall, "rejuvenated and ready to celebrate 10 years of serving Houston diners Dam Good Food and cocktails," according to a brief press statement.

No other details were released about the closing, which leaves foodies to speculate about what's in store for the original Beaver's. The Beaver's group (which includes the Beaver's on Westheimer and El Patio/Club No Minor) is adamant that the restaurant will return. But in what from?

One good guess could have something to do with the directions of the new Beaver's Westheimer, which opened in January. Since opening, chef Arash Kharat has been polishing his pitmaster skills and amped up the barbecue program. Barbecue enthusiasts now consider Beaver's Westheimer among the city's barbecue destinations even though it's not strictly a barbecue restaurant. (The Chron's barbecue columnist J.C. Reid wrote recently that Kharat is now doing barbecue "up to par with Houston's best smoked-meat purveyors.")

So one wonders: will the old Beaver's become a new barbecue spot? A logo designed for the Beaver's hiatus says "Gone Fishing: See You in the Fall" followed by #SmokeSomething. Sounds like Beaver's is planning on getting friendlier with smoked meats. Given Kharat's recent efforts, this smoke signal is good news.