Grand Ole BBQ y Asado, known by locals for its Central Texas Barbeque, announced plans to bring its famed BBQ to a second, much bigger location in Flinn Springs, in partnership with Social Syndicate. As part of the collaboration, the teams plan to create a quintessential Texas-style dining and entertainment venue—a first of its kind in San Diego.
Andy Harris, one of San Diego’s culinary marvels and BBQ master, opened the original restaurant Grand Ole BBQ y Asado in North Park, where he continues to sell out daily, thanks to his 20-year commitment of mastering flavors and service. The restaurant has gained a reputation for ‘the best BBQ in California’ since its opening in 2015.
A native San Diegan, Harris grew up locally but spent his summers in Central Texas with his dad, who was from Austin. He immediately fell in love with Central Texas BBQ and bought his first smoker in his early 20s, with the goal of recreating the flavors he had come to love in his childhood. In addition, Harris spent two decades in the music industry, first as a touring musician, playing major music festivals and later, as a tour manager. Throughout his career, studying, cooking, and perfecting smoking meat was a constant.
“I fell in love with Central Texas BBQ flavors as a kid and often wondered why there wasn’t a venue that combines those flavors with great music in an outdoors setting in San Diego,” says Andy Harris, owner of Grand Ole BBQ y Asado. “And, having spent over 20 years honing my culinary skills on the road—from testing out all the best BBQ as a then-musician and tour manager, to buying up books on all the best BBQ joints in Kansas City, Memphis, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas, I was ready to fill that void in the city. The response has been tremendous to-date and I’m thrilled to now partner with Social Syndicate to bring the ultimate family-friendly entertainment destination and the distinctive flavors of Central Texas BBQ to Flinn Springs.”
The new restaurant, Grand Ole BBQ, will be located at 15505 Olde Hwy 80 just off the I-8 in Flinn Springs. It will be an all-encompassing family-friendly entertainment venue with BBQ, live music, horseshoes, retro jukeboxes and more. The new fast-casual restaurant will be a destination for locals who want to experience something that’s never been done before in the city and a place where they can go and spend the day.
“We have been a fan of Andy’s BBQ for years,” says Brendan Huffman, CEO of Social Syndicate. “He has mastered the art of BBQ and we couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with him on this new venture. With his skills and passion for creating the best possible flavors and our focus on building community-driven venues, designed with locals in mind, I’m confident we’re going to create something special together. Grand Ole BBQ has an unbelievable product and foundation that we can’t wait to bring to Flinn Springs and share with the amazing community.”
The teams will be working on building out the venue and design over the next few months, with a slated unveiling for Summer 2018. In the meantime, locals can get a taste of what’s to come at Grand Ole BBQ’s North Park location, at 3302 32nd St, San Diego CA 92104.
