SECRETS OF SUCCESS
Secrets of Success:
Brian’s Bar-B-Q SUSIE MCKINLEY, EDITOR, FR&L MAGAZINE WITH BRIAN HILL, OWNER, BRIAN'S BAR-B-Q
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ocated in beautiful Deland, Florida, Brian’s Bar-B-Q is an iconic barbeque restaurant offering quality slow-cooked barbecue and flame-grilled specialties. The restaurant has been in business for over 35 years and is a mainstay of the community. Brian’s barbecue competes in competitions all over the Southeast and is well known for their standout fare. In addition, owners Brian and Jayne Hill are barbecue judges and have been trained as judges by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. They know what they are looking for.
50 FALL
2021
Q. It is a pleasure to talk with you about your restaurant. Can you give us a little history about how you decided to go into the barbecue business? A. Thank you so much for your time and
for considering Brian’s Bar-B-Q for Florida Restaurant & Lodging Magazine. I have to be included in that group of people who got into the industry as an “until job.” Like many people, I took a job in the restaurant business “until I found a real job.” I went to college and grad school studying finance, economics and international business. Working in a restaurant was not even a remote thought as a career. I started washing dishes while I looked for a real job. I soon became hooked by the energy, hospitality and competition. I then went to culinary school. Over the years, I have had to opportunity to own and operate many
concepts. As we approach our 40th year at Brian’s Bar-B-Q, I have utilized every aspect of my formal education and had a blast along the way.
Q. Brian’s Bar-B-Q is known for its award-winning barbecue. If a guest is visiting the restaurant for the first time, what would you suggest? A. I would tell them that we do sell a tremendous amount of baby back ribs, but my favorite is our jumbo spare ribs, grilled St. Louis-style with our sweet barbecue sauce. Our spare ribs are special, as we do what very few other restaurants can do. These ribs are meaty, tender and full of flavor. In my opinion, they are one-of-akind, but they have won tons of awards, so other people think so, too. Oh, one other thing, ask for a few extra wet naps. FLORIDA RESTAUR ANT & LOD GING A S SO CIATION
