A beloved local roadside eatery in Belize City has found itself caught in bureaucratic confusion over a mandatory relocation tied to the new BelCan Bridge construction project, pushing the business’s owners to push for transparency before they agree to vacate their decades-long home near the existing span.
Tony’s BBQ, a long-standing fixture along the route near the BelCan Bridge, is not opposing the move required for infrastructure upgrades — that’s the clear message from co-owner Sarah Beck, who stresses that the business has always agreed to make way for the bridge development. What the popular food business is pushing for, however, is clear, consistent information from government authorities about timelines, relocation support, and the terms of the move, after officials issued conflicting directives in recent weeks.
The confusion erupted last week following an abruptly called meeting between representatives of Tony’s BBQ, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), and Belize City Council officials. During that meeting, attendees told Beck the business would likely retain access to its current location through November, or even early 2027, since construction on the new bridge would not kick off right away. Just days later, however, officials presented a formal document ordering the eatery to vacate the property within 30 days.
Beck made the decision to refuse signing the conflicting order, explaining that written documentation that contradicts verbal agreements creates unacceptable uncertainty for the small business. “If you sign something that says something different, then written paper values more than what comes out of someone’s mouth,” she noted in explaining her choice.
After Beck submitted a formal written request to MIDH for formal clarification, the ministry confirmed in writing that Tony’s BBQ must leave its current location by August 15, 2026. Beck also pushed back against claims from MIDH Chief Engineer Evondale Moody that the business has operated without proper legal permission. She countered that the Belize City Council formally approved the original structure when it was built, and the business has paid $1,200 annually in required fees and rent ever since, meeting all its financial obligations to the local government.
Beyond timeline confusion, the proposed relocation site selected by MIDH — located across the roundabout near Cleopatra — raises a host of new problems for the business, according to Beck. The proposed plot is too small to accommodate Tony’s BBQ’s existing structure. It is positioned directly adjacent to a local hospital, where cooking smoke from daily grilling operations would almost certainly prompt public complaints. The site also sits directly on a marked pedestrian crosswalk, creating safety hazards for both diners and passersby. Most critically, the area is officially zoned as public green space, a designation that prohibits commercial food operations entirely.
Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner has stepped in to address the impasse, placing a direct call to Beck and committing to work alongside the city council and MIDH to resolve the outstanding issues. A follow-up meeting between the mayor and Beck is scheduled for next week to work through solutions. For her part, Beck says there is no question that the relocation will move forward to make way for the bridge project — the business simply wants clear answers and a viable new location before proceeding.