HUMBOLDT The first hint of whats to come tickles the nostrils a couple of blocks south of Humboldts downtown square. Drive on and the culinary bouquet grows stronger. TJs BBQ, 719 S. Ninth St., is the source.
The restaurant opened last Saturday to an overwhelming response.
We had about 200 orders. By 11:15 a.m. we were full word spreads fast in Humboldt, said Todd Jay Brandon, the owner.
We had a few mistakes on Saturday, Brandon said, to be expected the first day of any business. Itll take time to know just how much meat, potatoes and other things are needed on a daily basis.
We went through 120 pounds of potatoes on Saturday, he said. A speciality are the pit potatoes, heaped with smoked meat, cheese and condiments.
TJs is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Saturday, Sunday (closing at 3 p.m.) and Monday. Eventually other days may be added.
BRANDON purchased what was the Pizza Hut, in February 2018, spending about 18 months getting it ready to open.
We had to gut the place, Brandon said, referring to him and Chuck Ikehorn. Most of the floor joists were rotted the bathroom floors were soaked and the interior walls had to go.
The project was slow going with so much to do and so few hands to do it.
Brandon is no stranger to a restaurant kitchen, having cooked several places before starting TJs BBQ, a food trailer business in Chanute three years ago. Now, hes all in. Ive spent a lot of time in Humboldt the past 30 years and have a lot of friends.
Brandon, 49, said he intends to capitalize on the first blush success by striving to be everything his customers want.
TJs is exceptional in one respect.
I smoke all the meat and I dont put on barbecue sauce, he said. I leave that to the customer. I think smoked meat tastes great without sauce, but if someone wants sauce, its available. I want this restaurant to be a small-town barbecue with a big time taste.
He lauded Humboldt commercial boosters Monarch Cement and B&W Trailer Hitches for the help theyve provided, as well as the city itself.
Humboldt is one of the few places where a small business gets the help it needs to succeed, he said.
The little things a city can do help immensely.
When my mother was in the hospital I was gone for awhile and the grass was getting pretty high by my building. I called Cole Herder (city administrator) to tell him Id get to it as soon as I could.
