Richard A. Holmes

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Known for his deep love—of family, competitive barbecue cooking and the thrash-metal band Slayer—Richie Holmes earned more than a few “king” titles in brisket and rib-cooking competitions over the years. The Staten Island restaurateur died late Saturday, at home. Holmes was 56. The cause of death was not immediately known. A Brooklyn native who moved to Staten Island as a child, Holmes attended St. Mary’s School in Rosebank before graduating from New Dorp High School. Holmes was active in Staten Island’s music scene before rising to prominence in New York’s barbecue community. He channeled a tenacious spirit into a longtime dream of opening a barbecue restaurant, traveling across the American South to study regional styles and sample some of the nation’s most acclaimed pits and smokehouses. That dream became reality in 2019 when he opened Juicy Lucy’s Smokehouse. Long before Juicy Lucy’s had four walls, Holmes built a devoted following through food festivals and backyard barbecues, where family, friends and fans eagerly lined up for a taste of his smoked meats. He eventually launched several iterations of Juicy Lucy BBQ, including the flagship restaurant on Father Capodanno Boulevard in South Beach, which he operated alongside family members, including his children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant created a series of outdoor programs, including a drive-in movie concept that gained national attention. The event reflected Holmes’ love of classic ’70s films like “Jaws,” “The Warriors,” “The Godfather” and ”Star Wars: A New Hope.” He also opened Metropolis Steakhouse in Grant City, with a run that ended in May 2025. Outside the kitchen, Holmes was devoted to family. Friends said he loved gathering loved ones around the dinner table, opening his home for holidays and making people feel welcome. An animal lover, he was remembered as a caring, generous man who always put others first. “Richie was one of the best people I’ve worked with in New York barbecue,” said Jimmy Carbone, founder of Brisket King NYC and Rib King NYC. “When he opened Juicy Lucy BBQ, he did everything possible to get it right. Barbecue wasn’t just a business for him—it was his passion. I was excited to see where the next chapter would take him. He’s going to be deeply missed.” A businessman, pitmaster and friend who never stopped dreaming “Every time I saw him at Juicy Lucy, he was busy, but he always had a smile on his face,” friend Christopher Campbell of St. George said. “He’d come over, say hello, apologize if there was a wait and make sure people were taken care of. That’s just who Richie was.” Sonny Parmar, a friend and former business partner at Metropolis, said Holmes helped connect him to Staten Island in ways that extended far beyond the restaurant business. “Through Richie, I got to experience the true beauty of Staten Island people—how warm they are, how supportive they are and how loyal they are,” Parmar said. “Being part of Metropolis allowed me to become part of Staten Island culture, and I owe all of that to Richie.” Campbell said Holmes was defined by his persistence. “He never gave up,” Campbell said. “That was the one thing that was consistent with Richie. He always had something cooking. Whether it was Brooklyn or Juicy Lucy on Lincoln Avenue, he was always working on something. When the chips were down, he regrouped and figured it out.” Never standing still When Holmes opened Juicy Lucy BBQ in Ocean Breeze, he brought years of passion and research to the former John and Joe Toto’s location on Father Capodanno Boulevard. The restaurant became known for its smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork and signature cheese-stuffed “Juicy Lucy” burgers. Holmes assembled a team that included family members, pitmaster Max Chiefari and experienced Staten Island restaurateurs while relying on local suppliers. The sprawling restaurant featured indoor dining, a large outdoor deck, a tiki bar and live entertainment, helping establish Juicy Lucy as a destination for barbecue lovers on Staten Island. By 2023, Holmes had built Juicy Lucy into one of Staten Island’s most recognizable barbecue brands, operating multiple locations over a five-year period. Despite earning accolades for its barbecue and cultivating a loyal following, the concept faced challenges in a competitive local restaurant market. When the final Juicy Lucy location in Annadale closed in November 2023, Holmes remained optimistic about the future of the brand, suggesting it could one day reemerge in New Jersey. Even after the restaurants shuttered, friends and business associates said Holmes never lost faith in the concept he had spent years building. Angela Chow of Sakai Ramen and Izakaya in Graniteville said Holmes remained active in the food business after Juicy Lucy’s run ended. In recent years, he operated a food truck and explored new ventures, including a burger concept in Williamsburg. “He was always talking about opening a few places,” Chow said. “If you ever needed anything, he would always tell you, ‘Boss, you can call me anytime.’” Chow recalled visiting Holmes’ home just months ago to pick up pastrami for a customer who had missed out on the popular item. As luck would have it, Holmes had some on hand and gladly handed it over. Chow also remembered Holmes’ kindness and concern for others. “Every day he would ask me how I was feeling,” she said. “I’m a cancer survivor, and he always told me, ‘Take care of yourself. Don’t work too hard.’ He was a kind man at heart.” Slayer fan forever Johnny “Eggz” of Mother Pugs Saloon, a lifelong friend who had known Holmes since their teenage years, described him as funny, fearless and unforgettable. “If you were around Richie Holmes, no matter what, you were going to laugh,” he said. “He had a line for everything. He was a funny, funny guy. A lot of people are going to miss him.” Eggz, who shared a love of heavy metal music with Holmes, said his friend never lost his sense of humor. “He was a memorable guy,” he said. “One of the South Beach originals.” Family members recalled that Holmes was an avid Mets fan whose loyalty to the team never wavered. He even sported a Mets tattoo. His admiration for catcher Mike Piazza ran so deep that friends remembered him becoming emotional when Piazza hit his iconic home run in the Mets’ first game in New York following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Holmes is survived by his mother, Suzette Holmes, whom he affectionately called “Sexy Suzy;” his brother, Bryan Holmes; his daughters, Lauren Peak, Amber Galgano, Kayla Holmes, Haley Holmes and Scarlett Holmes; and his grandchildren, David Peak, Kameryn Peak, Ryan Peak and Talon Peak. A Funeral service will be offered at 8:00 PM on Saturday at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc. located at 28 Eltingville Blvd Staten Island, New York 10312.Private Cremation to follow. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York.

Richard A. Holmes

August 14, 1969 - July 18, 2026