Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
GTA IV protagonist Niko about to enter a Burger Shot store in Bohan.
Screenshot by Dot Esports via Rockstar Games

Real-life GTA restaurant shut down by Rockstar’s parent company

Take-Two Interactive ruined all the fun.

Grand Theft Auto fans in California will no longer be able to mimic Big Smoke’s famous Cluckin’ Bell order at the GTA-themed event at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, which will run from July 20 to 23.

Recommended Videos

Sadly for fans, food company Smokin J’s BBQ received a cease and desist letter from Take-Two Interactive, which is Rockstar Games’ very own parent company, and had to scrap part of its plans for the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, as first reported by the website Rockstar Intel.

Smokin J’s BBQ opened a Cluckin’ Bell restaurant, one of GTA’s famous food chains, at last year’s edition of the San Diego Comic-Con and was planning to do it again in 2023 with the addition of a Burger Shot restaurant, the other famous food chain present in GTA games.

A food company in California opened a Cluckin' Bell restaurant for the San Diego Comic-Con in 2022.
Smokin J’s BBQ made waves on the internet last year for bringing Cluckin’ Bell to real life during the San Diego Comic-Con. Screenshot via Smokin J’s BBQ

Last year’s edition featured a direct reference to one of GTA V’s playable characters Trevor Philips and people could even order a Sprunk, which is GTA’s take on Sprite. But it’s unclear if that will be possible now after the cease and desist letter.

Not all is lost for Smokin J’s BBQ, though, as it still plans to operate a Cluckin’ Bell-esque type of restaurant at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con. It will be named Don’t Cluckin’ Tell instead, however, to avoid any legal trouble with Take-Two Interactive.

Unfortunately, fans won’t get to eat a burger from Burger Shot just yet, but maybe Smokin J’s BBQ will come up with a creative solution for the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con to give fans a taste of GTA‘s classic burger. For now, people will have to settle for chicken just like Ryder Wilson had to in GTA San Andreas.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Leonardo Biazzi
Leonardo Biazzi
Staff writer and CS:GO lead. Leonardo has been passionate about games since he was a kid and graduated in Journalism in 2018. Before Leonardo joined Dot Esports in 2019, he worked for Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte. Leonardo also worked for HLTV.org between 2020 and 2021 as a senior writer, until he returned to Dot Esports and became part of the staff team.