The harsh cold spell that rang in the New Year has finally loosened its grip, but the damage is done for the iconic Joe Beef in Little Burgundy. According to Le Devoir, a pipe burst in the restaurant on Sunday evening, leading to significant destruction—most of it concentrated in the underground wine cellar.
Over the long weekend, a rare Instagram story on McMillan's Joe Beef account revealed a torrent of water flooding a section of the building.
Though the damage wasn't limited to the cellar alone, McMillan told Le Devoir that it bore the brunt of the incident. “We’ve lost our wine cellar,” he stated. While insurance may cover some of the losses, McMillan noted that the event will likely prove costly.
With all three neighboring establishments under the Joe Beef umbrella—Joe Beef, Liverpool House, and Le Vin Papillon—scheduled to reopen on Thursday, January 4, McMillan has already shelled out $15,000 for emergency repairs to ensure the venues are ready for customers on time.
True to his unflappable nature, McMillan remarked to Le Devoir, “Life goes on.”
For anyone who hasn't endured the misery of frozen or burst pipes, extreme cold can cause water inside pipes to freeze. Since frozen water occupies more space than liquid, the resulting pressure sometimes makes partially frozen pipes rupture. The risk is higher when water isn't flowing—for instance, when an apartment sits empty or a restaurant is closed. Joe Beef, Liverpool House, and Le Vin Papillon had all been shut for the holidays for more than a week before the accident occurred.
