Orion food enthusiasts will have new cuisine to sample when Blue Ox BBQ opens its doors. The restaurant will begin serving up its southern-style menu to customers early in February.
Friends and business partners, Dave Clark and Neal Ellis, have been busy preparing their restaurant to satisfy the smoky, spicy, bar-b-q cravings in Lake Orion.
The two were friends 20 years ago and recently connected back up.
‘We saw a need for more mom-and-pop-type places,? said Clark.
He added that they’ll serve up only homemade food.
Ellis, an Oklahoma native, will man the spatula, though he says their new smoker will do most of the cooking.
‘Brisket will be our specialty,? he said.
He noted that in his previous restaurant, the brisket was voted Best in Colorado twice.
Award-winning brisket aside, Blue Ox’s menu will also include BBQ ribs, half and whole chickens, sausage and prime rib, with corn, okra, beans and fries on the side.
‘We’re bringing okra to Lake Orion,? Clark said, urging locals to give the popular southern veggie a chance.
The restaurant will be set up buffet-style to help keep costs low and efficency high. They’ll offer dine-in and carry-out services as well as catering.
Clark says his goal is to get customers served in under five minutes.
‘We’ll keep food very affordable,? he said, adding that a family of four can get a good meal for $30 to $35.
‘We just want our customers to be happy,? he said.
Clark, also from Oklahoma, brings years of restaurant experience to his entrepreneurial adventure.
Until recently, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for 17 Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants, including the one in Lake Orion.
The experience will prove useful for the restaurant in today’s economy.
‘Everyone expressed concern,? Clark said of his decision to open the Blue Ox.
‘But just about everyone loves ribs and brisket,? he said, noting now customers don’t have to drive far to get it.?
‘We’re the real deal,? Clark said. ‘We’re throwing back to a true southern-style eating experience.?
Blue Ox BBQ is located at 179 N. Park Boulevard in downtown Lake Orion.