Bert's BBQ

In 1970, native Austinites, Bert, and Joyce Johnson opened a small 1,000 square-foot barbeque joint at MLK and the Rio Grande near the University of Texas campus. Bert was a state employee and cooking for co-workers and friends--out of his house, but don't tell anyone-- every chance he had. Bert's father-in-law, Henry Adams, owned a Gulf service station on MLK and knew a dormant upholstery shop for rent and looking for a tenant. He suggested Bert and Joyce use the space to set up shop. He and Joyce were able to do this on an if-it-works basis and could purchase the shop when they were ready.