Well, drat. After three years plying customers with big, meaty sandwiches, Martino's announced its last day of business on Phinney Ridge will be Sunday, December 4.

All is not lost for fans of smoked tri-tip, central California's signature barbecue style, which Martino's lovingly recreates here in Seattle. The shop is closing to focus on catering, but also to look for a new location.

Chris Navarra, who co-owns Martino's with two other guys named Chris—Gerke and Martino—says they're looking for something with more of a restaurant feel, since the current location all but demands takeout: "The space was just too small." 

Here's the Facebook post announcing the news; this also seems like a good place to monitor news of any upcoming Martino's locations.