Preliminary tests indicate that more than 20 people contracted salmonella poisoning after eating food served by a local barbecue restaurant operated by a state senator, local Health Department officials said today.

The A & R Barbecue at 3721 Hickory Hill is operated by Sen. Reginald Tate, D-Memphis, and wife Lashun Pallard-Tate.

The restaurant closed its doors voluntarily on July 25 while the Health Department reviews the restaurant’s menu, said department representative Nicole Lacey-Hall.

“We have sent food samples to the health department lab, but the tests have not come back,” Lacey-Hall said.

“We have recorded some preliminary reports of salmonella, but we haven’t verified that yet.”

Pollard-Tate is the daughter of Andrew Pollard, owner of all four A & R’s in the Memphis area. The other locations will remain open, store managers said.

The Health Department became aware of the health hazard on July 14 when it began receiving complaints from the Hickory Hill A & R customers.

Most of those infected attended the Harston family reunion in Shelby Farms on July 10 and 11, which was catered by A & R, while others ate at the restaurant.

Minnesota attorney Fred Pritzker, representing some affected family members, said they are waiting for the conclusion of the Health Department’s investigation before deciding whether to take any legal actions.