Ahwatukee soul food restaurant Ezekial’s closes after 8 years

The East Valley’s premier soul food destination, family-run Ezekial’s Restaurant in Ahwatukee, has closed after eight years.

‘‘Chef Brad’s health is at risk and we have decided as a family that it is best to close the restaurant for good,’’ co-owner Laurita Carr wrote about her husband on social media.

The Carrs started out in the restaurant business in Pennsylvania before moving to Arizona and opening Ezekial’s on the southeast corner of Warner and 48th Street in late 2012.

Ezekial’s quickly developed a devoted following for its catfish, barbecue ribs, and especially its fried chicken.

Between Pennsylvania and Arizona, the Carrs ran their restaurants for a combined 65 years.

‘‘If you got to know my husband Brad well, you definitely know that his decision to retire wasn’t an easy decision to make for him, though necessary and for the best,’’ Carr wrote.