Today we’d like to introduce you to Allen Brown
Hi Allen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for food and cooking began when I was a child. I watched my Dad smoke meats on the weekend in the backyard as well as my Mom and Grandparents prepare food in the kitchen.
I have always been fascinated by the different flavors of food, the cooking process, and the presentation of the finished product.
While on my path of various job positions in life, somehow it always either connected me to food preparation or brought me back to it, not knowing at the time that this pastime had become my passion. It brings me joy to see people eat and enjoy food so I was always cooking in my spare time and trying out new recipes.
I started taking on catering jobs when time allowed while working a full-time job. That gave me the courage to start my first restaurant, Tri-State Smokehouse Grill via a partnership. I did not know a lot about operating a restaurant so I had to dive head first into “on the job” training. During the process of the buildout, I learned how to do some of the construction work as well. This was the beginning of my tapping into my passion for preparing food full-time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is generally filled with ups and downs as well as triumphs and tragedies. I am not and have not been exempt from facing and experiencing my own share of obstacles and challenges along my food business journey.
Tri-State Smokehouse Grill became very successful quickly within the first year of operations. However, my lack of restaurant operations experience and the partnership’s unwillingness to compromise on business operations to propel the restaurant in a better direction contributed to the restaurant closing shortly after that one year mark.
I was devastated and disappointed but determined to further develop my passion for the food business so I opened Brown Street Café. It was a small and intimate space. The café offered sandwiches and specialty plate items for every day of the week.
The business was successful until Hurricane Ike made landfall in 2008. Unfortunately, we were unable to reopen Brown Street Café after the hurricane. So, I went back into the corporate world to make a living and provide for my family.
While I was in the corporate world working a job unrelated to food, I still somehow ended up being the food planner for the company and also on occasion preparing the meals myself to feed the staff at the company.
During this time in the corporate world I wrote down my ideas and a vision of what I wanted my next restaurant to be. In 2013, I secured the name Brown Bag BBQ Company even though I was still working a company job.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
It wasn’t until 2018 that I decided to leave the corporate world once again to partner with Zerrick Butler, who had a restaurant owner experience similar to mine. Together, we launched Brown Bag BBQ Company.
Brown Bag started with a pop-up tent, tables, a trailer BBQ pit, and prayer. We worked really hard to offer some of the best smoked meats and food sides even with our limited set up. Our clientele grew quickly enough so eventually we were able to invest in a “Restaurant on Wheels” trailer. Some would call it a Food Truck.
We were blessed to be able to continue business operations and provide food for more customers when the world went into the pandemic. All of our food was already prepared “To Go” and customers were able to be outside and social distance while placing orders and waiting to pick up food orders.
I identify as a Pitmaster/Self-Made Chef. I specialize in smoking meats such as (but not limited to) brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage. I don’t limit myself only to barbecue. I also prepare foods such as Southern Fried Catfish, Soups, Gumbo, Pastas, Casseroles, and Brunch Specialty Items.
Zerrick identifies as a Sous Chef/Home Cook. He specializes in (but not limited to) Smoked Meats, Fried Chicken, Brunch Specialty Items, side dishes such as various Home-made Beans, Macaroni and Cheese and so much more.
Together we represent Brown Bag BBQ Company and provide food made with love and care for private catering orders and events as well as for the general public.
Today we have grown our business all over Houston and surrounding areas. We cater for private and special public events including wedding receptions and milestone birthday celebrations. This also includes catering company events as well as church events. We also have provided food for festivals and school staff events as well.
When we are not catering we also set up once or twice a week to serve the public in a Kroger Parking Lot in the Cypress area of Houston. Information about Brown Bag BBQ has spread quickly by word of mouth as well as via Google and other social media platforms.
One of our most fun catering events also resulted in Brown Bag BBQ Company making a cameo appearance in the music video entitled “Boots Get To Talking” by Brei Carter.
How do you define success?
Success is staying focused and hungry enough to complete the goals you are striving for. Keeping a positive mindset while facing adversity is a must!
There is a phrase that says “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”. But for me it is more like “When the heat starts to rise, don’t leave the kitchen. Figure out how to adjust the temperature and complete the assignment”.
Prayer and Perseverance are key components to becoming successful.
Pricing:
- *Catering pricing varies and depends on the event, food choices, and amount of people.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: brownbagbbqhou
- Facebook: Brown Bag BBQ Co.
- Yelp: Brown Bag BBQ
- Google: Brown bag BBQ
