Ole Barn BBQ to open Dec. 1

It took Bob Nelson 27 years as a chef to perfect his secret barbeque recipe. Now, he’s ready to share it with Austin when Ole Barn BBQ opens Dec. 1.

Bob and his wife, Lisa Nelson, whose restaurant in Oak Park Mall will open one week from Thursday, have three hand-rubbed barbeque flavors; original, hot and the very hot, Coca-Cola based “what the heck.”

“The barbeque sauces are an invention of his own,” Lisa said.

The Nelsons said Ole Barn Restaurant will be similar to Famous Dave’s, but with more of a southern flare, with ribs, honey-battered and southern chicken, smoked briskets, pulled pork, bourbon beans, black eyed peas, Georgia sweet tea, homemade root beer, lemonade and, of course, biscuits. The restaurant also has a bar and will feature free ice cream sundaes with a meal for children.

The Nelsons, who also own Restaurant Warehouse and Home Kitchen Warehouse, remodeled the restaurant to give it a farming/cowboy theme, with picnic-style tables, haystacks in the corners, and farming equipment and cowboy décor throughout.

“We’re getting a lot of positive feedback,” Lisa said, adding that they have had to turn a lot of people away who thought they were already open. “This is a great thing for the mall to have.”

Lisa said there’s a lot of negativity in regards to the mall, but said they’re in a great business district.

“We’re very excited to get it open,” she said. “People will be able to walk into the mall and smell it smoking every single day.”

The restaurant will have 25 employees, and Linda said training starts today.

The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday-Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.