Sowells’ BBQ
Sowell’s BBQ, likely the oldest continuously family-owned restaurant in Live Oak County, has been honored as the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month. Owner Rick Sowell attributes this recognition and the restaurant’s enduring success to his dedicated employees, handed-down family recipes, and a warm, down-home atmosphere.
“We try to treat everyone like family,” Sowell says. “Even if it’s not on the menu, if you want it, we’ll cook it.”
That philosophy, combined with unique dishes and a diverse menu, has kept Sowell’s BBQ going strong for 15 years—despite early skepticism. “When we opened, we were told we wouldn’t make it,” Sowell recalls. But now, with their loyal following, the restaurant is thriving.
Barbecue remains the top seller, typically gone by 11:30 a.m., but other offerings, like Wednesday’s catfish and shrimp and Saturday’s fried chicken, also draw big crowds and sell out quickly. Some dishes, such as the popular Tres Rios—a hamburger patty topped with onions, jalapeños, and cheese, covered in brown gravy—are creations of Sowell himself. “It’s not healthy, but it’s very tasty, and we sell a lot of them,” he says with complete honesty. Many of the recipes have been passed down from his mother and Aunt Bessie Stewart. Others come from locals who have shared their own tried-and-true recipes.
At the heart of the restaurant’s success are its long-time employees, who Sowell considers part of his extended family. “They are the fabric and thread of this place,” he says. One of those employees, Sandy, cooks the barbecue and starts her day as early as 2:00 a.m., loading the briskets into the smoker. She returns at 6:00 a.m. to prepare for lunch. “They treat this place like it’s their own. I’m so blessed,” Sowell adds.
Though Sowell’s BBQ mainly operates at lunchtime, they serve breakfast on Saturdays, particularly for hunters who are eager to share stories and watch football games. “We tell them, when the game’s over, lock up when you leave.” Sowell laughs saying there are lots of keys floating around the community.
This fall, the restaurant’s popular “Guest Chef” program will return, with Sowell inviting well-known local cooks to showcase their culinary talents one Friday a month. Catering is also a substantial part of the business, with Sowell having catered events as large as 1,700 guests and as far away as Louisiana.
Dining at Sowell’s BBQ is not just about the food but also the experience. The building, constructed in 1914 in Sisterdale, is believed to have been torn down and the cypress boards hauled by wagon to be reconstructed at the location at 114 W. Thornton Street. Sowell says, “It became a beer joint with a dirt floor and no electricity. When it got dark, no more beer.” Patrons wanted to stay late and drink beer, and they made a deal with the owner to pour a concrete floor if he supplied the barbeque and electricity. With the off-level floor, it’s evident to Sowell that they weren’t professionals.
Also original are the screen doors, and the plexiglass windows. “When they had fights in the bar, someone inevitably would go through the window and break the glass. The owner got tired of that and put up the plexiglass,” laughs Sowell. People keep telling him to clean his windows, but he say, “We wouldn’t change it – it is what it is.”
The restaurant walls are adorned with photographs of both local and celebrity patrons. On one occasion, within 24 hours, star athletes Earl Campbell and Nolan Ryan, as well as an Elvis impersonator in full costume, dined at the restaurant. Pro-rodeo star Phil Lyne is a frequent guest, and even country music legends like Earl Thomas Conley have been spotted at Sowell’s. On special days, you might even catch celebrity Rick Sowell himself performing a few country tunes on his guitar.
With its inviting atmosphere, top-notch service, and mouthwatering dishes, it’s no surprise that Sowell’s BBQ continues to thrive after 15 years in business. The Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month award only confirms what the community has known for years—Sowell’s BBQ is a local treasure.