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The blessings of barbecue
Owners expand operations to fill Sikeston restaurant
SIKESTON - The smell of barbecue wafts from behind the serving counter.
It is a familiar smell but a new face smiling from behind the counter and a new name over the doorway.
On May 2, Jimmy and Tami Allen opened Tami's Bar-B-Q at 1609 E. Malone Ave., a location which for years was home to the Sikeston landmark, Bo's Barbecue.
While Mrs. Allen has kept many of the same menu items and even put former restaurant owner Randy Bohannon behind the counter the opening weekend, it is quickly transitioning into a business that reflect their efforts to serve their customers.
The Allens already operated Tami's Bar-B-Q in Charleston and had many Sikeston customers, she said. "I had some customers encouraging me to expand and things kind of fell into place," she said about adding the second restaurant in Sikeston.
Tami's Bar-B-Q offers customers breakfast all day and the menu has a variety of sandwiches. "We have a little bit of everything," she said listing selections such as pork steak, ham and turkey.
But the barbecue is the biggest draw. Each day the restaurant barbecues pork, beef, ribs and chicken.
The pulled pork is the most popular item, according to Mrs. Allen. "It's fresh. I don't keep leftovers," she said.
Also a daily special, which includes a meat, three vegetables and a drink, for $4.99 is popular with customers, she added. The selection can include the restaurants mashed potatoes, which she emphasizes are homemade, as is the potato salad.
And the servings are ample. Mrs. Allen described the taco salad as "huge and it is served in a taco shell bowl that we fry fresh each day. Hamburgers are a half-pound each, she added.
She paused with a grin: "You want to know my motto? Everything is big at Tami's, including the owner."
One of the restaurant's goals is to ensure customers are satisfied and get a good value for their money, Mrs. Allen said. "We all work hard and if you decide to come here, then I believe the red carpet should be rolled out. I count it as a privilege to have them as my customers," she said.
She also listens to her customers. In response to their requests, the restaurant recently began serving catfish on Fridays and Saturdays.
The 15 employees at the business include the Allen's children. She noted all their children work at the restaurants either in Sikeston or Charleston.
And she does too. "I love it, I work about 24 hours a day, either here or there," said Mrs. Allen with a laugh.
The restaurant has seating for 121. Also Tami's Bar-B-Q offers a full-line of catering, which several local businesses have already taken advantage of, she said.
She had high praise for her new community and the patrons. "This is a very nice town, very supportive," she said. "I had no idea business would be this good. We have been very, very blessed."
Tami's Bar-B-Q is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. According to Allen, Sunday hours will soon be added.