Photo by aliciagriffin

The offerings at Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington are so good that President Obama even trusted them to help soothe relations with then-President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev in 2010. (Obama also took Vice President Joe Biden.) But the Michael Landrum-owned burger joint—and it’s nearby sibling, Ray’s Hell Burger Too—were recently shuttered over a dispute with their landlord, writes ARLnow:

The closure is the result of a landlord-tenant dispute between restaurateur Michael Landrum and his landlord, the historic Colonial Village Shopping Center. Court records show that Landrum filed a lawsuit against the shopping center on Nov. 16. Yesterday afternoon, the shopping center locked Landrum and his staff out of both storefronts.

“Landlord has changed the locks,” said signs on the door. “Do not unlock this door under penalty of damages.”

Handwritten signs in the window, posted by Landrum, direct customers across the street to Ray’s to the Third (1650 Wilson Blvd).

“Please visit us at Ray’s to the Third while we take a quick break,” said one of the signs. “Please do not leave your car in this lot if you come across the street… towing is very likely.”

Landrum said that the conflict was his landlord’s fault, saying more broadly, “I am not saying this is the case here, but landlords abuse their power and violate the rights of tenants with near-total impunity all the time.” (He’s never been known for keeping his opinion to himself.) Landrum did tell ARLnow that he’ll serve his famed burgers at Ray’s: To The Third, which is located just down the road from the two burger joints.

In December, we reported that Landrum’s short-lived east-of-the-river eatery, Ray’s the Steaks at East River, had closed.