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Kansas City Barbeque, which was a filming location for Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun” was gutted by a fire yesterday. The fire started in an open cooking pit and then spread from there. How sad!
When owner Cindy Blair was asked about rebuilding plans she said, “Catch us tomorrow, we’ll have a plan then.” I imagine she was still in shock and the last thing in her mind was how to rebuild.
45 firefighters, six engine companies and two truck companies were able to keep the fire from spreading to an adjoining office building, and they had the fire out in 20 minutes, but there was no saving the restaurant. It was completely destroyed.
This restaurant was used for one of my all time favorite movie scenes ever. Remember the Top Gun bar scene where Tom Cruise sings to Kelly McGillis? Yep, this was the place of filming. Who can forget that scene. There was a sign in the restaurant that noted the Top Gun scene was filmed there. You can see a picture of the restaurant here.
I have this movie on DVD and just may pop it in to take a look at the restaurant again. I hate it when I hear about land marks and memorable film locations being destroyed by fire. I know what it’s like to loose your house and everything you own by a fire. It’s something that takes you a long while to get over.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the restaurant owners while they try to pick up the pieces. Read the rest of the story here.
The reports that this is the restaurant that was used for the scene in which Maverick sings “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” to Charlie (Kelly McGillis) are incorrect because that scene was shot in the Officer’s Club at the Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado. Kansas City Barbeque was used for the scene that Goose (Anthony Edwards) and Maverick sing “Great Balls of Fire ” at the piano as well as the final scene between Maverick and Charlie where she plays “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” on the jukebox. Sadly it seems both the piano and Jukebox are now destroyed.
Another artical is here
http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/27/top-gun-bar-destroyed/
It’s so sad to think of such a piece of film history being wiped out in just 20 minutes .
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Thanks for that Michelle! That makes more sense now that I think back to that scene. I am very sad to hear that the piano and Jukebox were destroyed.
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Your very welcome, Julie.
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Update
Here is a video from NBC sandiego in which you can see the desrtruction ….includeing sadly a close up of the detroyed Jukebox but the good news is the piano is salvageable =).
http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=269937
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Another video , this time from yahoo showing more of the destruction . This one shows the jukebox in the movie and more recogniseable video of it destroyed =(, as well as showing the piano in very good condition =) . The owner say’s she’s grateful the piano survived because she grew up playing it and because it was in the film.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=4226712&cl=8545790&src=news
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[...] plays “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin‘” for Maverick, just like Michelle said. [...]
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This is the greatest barbeque ever! what a landmark! They are already rebuilding–everyone should go not just for the Topgun history, but the food and incredible atmosphere–the perfection of sleaze!!!
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WE WERE SUPPOSED TO EAT THERE ON SATURDAY. WE WERE STAYING AT PALA CASINO, AND HEARD IT BURNED DOWN ON TV. MY BROTHER WAS CAMPING AT SILVER STRAND BEACH AND GOING TO SEA WORLD. I TOLD HIM TOP STOP THERE AND EAT ALSO THAT WEEKEND. GOD BLESS TO MARTIN AND CYNDI BLAIR AND THE EMPLOYEES THAT NO ONE WAS KILLED. HOPE THEY CAN RECOVER
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Does any one know yet if they will rebuild? what the plan is…Hope the staff is OK, especially Jennifer Winquist who was the nicest waitress everytime she was our server, Jennifer if you need anything from us, e-mail, sorry to hear that you were working and had to witness it.Jennifer hope your O.K.,, From Your law enforcement buds..
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Kansas City BBQ reopened and it looks great. All of you on yelp that gave it bad reviews before the fire should eat there again one more time. Food is better, thanks to RAY the cooks, inside looks great..new. Most of the employees are still there..HI Jennifer! from me AKA Veruca salt. Anyway the place is great just to hang with friends. My suggestion to eat for everyone:
Beef brisket plate with onion rings and corn sides! PIG OUT.
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