Owner of the legendary Alabama Meat-and-Three Dead at the age of 75

Joe Barger, owner of the beloved Northport Meats and Three Place City Cafe, has died at the age of 75.

Prior to his death this morning, Barger had been in hospice care for several weeks, according to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page. Restaurant employees confirmed the news of his death this afternoon.

Barger has operated City Cafe for 50 years after purchasing it in 1974.

But his history with the restaurant, which first opened in 1931, goes much further. As a high school student, Barger waited tables under previous owners Bill Hitt and Hoyt Brasher.

“And I ate here before I ever worked here,” Barger said AL.com‘s Bob Carlton in a Interview from 2012.

Southern living in In 2023, the restaurant was one of the 10 best meat-and-threes in the stateand notes, “The ‘three’ part of your order can include anything from string beans to cobbler.”

Over time, Barger has become as popular with the community as the restaurant itself.

“Prayers for Mr. Joe and his family, and for all who love and know them,” read a comment on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“I enjoy reading all the comments. It really speaks to the wonderful people that they are, when you have so many people with such fond memories; especially if you have people who have been working for you for ten years or more.”

As of Tuesday morning, no funeral arrangements have been announced.