From: Maayan Simon
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 5:37 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: I support A & M BBQ!
Dear Council Members,
I am writing to urge you to support the proprietors of A & M BBQ to stay in their present location at 495 S. Main St. until they have adequate time to find an alternative location that fully meets their needs. I live in close proximity* to A & M BBQ and appreciate the food, friendliness, and convenience of this wonderful restaurant in my neighborhood. While I appreciate the concerns about smoke and traffic voiced by others, I believe they are overblown.
Part of the value of living near downtown Sebastopol is being close to wonderful establishments like A & M. When living near any city center it’s to be expected that there will sometimes be increased traffic and food smells. I walk and drive by A & M BBQ on a daily basis going to and from my home and have never encountered more than a mild smoke smell or slight increase in traffic. I also encounter similar or greater increased traffic and air quality issues when walking or driving by other nearby establishments like HopMonk Tavern and Little Cesar’s Pizza.
Additionally, the food at A & M BBQ offers a wonderful alternative to the standard Sebastopol fare. I have seen many people comment on Sonoma County foodie Facebook groups that they specifically visit Sebastopol for A & M BBQ and make a day of it by also patronizing other local establishments. My parents, who live in Santa Rosa where there are multiple BBQ restaurant options, regularly request I bring them food from A & M, often spending in excess of $200 there (my parents like left overs, though the food is so delicious they don’t last long). I certainly cannot afford to spend that amount on take out but I’m happy to support Sebastopol’s economy and tax revenue with my parents’ money.
Please do not unnecessarily penalize the hardworking proprietors of A & M BBQ due to a few overblown complaints. A & M BBQ has brought a wonderful establishment to our community and they deserve our support.
Sincerely,
Ma’ayan Simon
Sebastopol resident since 2009
* I have been a tenant at , which abuts Walker Avenue in close proximity to A & M BBQ, since 2020, and lived nearby on Litchfield Ave. for over a decade directly prior.