Brooks' House of Barbecue

In 1958, the Brooks family began operation of a concession stand at the miniature golf and driving range connected with the Del-Se-Go Drive-In. Griffin and Frances shared a dream of someday owning their own restaurant. The concession stand was very successful for two seasons and enabled them to fulfill their dream. They leased land on Route 7, near the present location and built the first Brooks' House of Bar-B-Q Restaurant. This restaurant opened on June 10, 1961 with a seating capacity of eighty and approximately fifteen people were employed there. In 1965, the Brooks' realized they needed a more spacious dining room and food preparation area as their restaurant and catering business grew. They purchased Ralph Halcomb's farm and built the present restaurant. It has a seating capacity of 300 and has the largest indoor charcoal barbecue pit (38 feet in length) in the East. During the peak of the summer season, approximately one hundred people are employed at the restaurant as well as the catering business. In 1975, Griffin and Frances sold the restaurant to their son John and his wife Joan. John and Joan sold the restaurant to their son Ryan and his wife Beth. Ryan grew up in the business and Beth is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta. Ryan and Beth are proud to be the third generation to carry on the family business. Ryan's aunt, Phyllis O'Sullivan, along with their faithful employees keep the restaurant, takeout, banquet, sauce production and catering business a family affair since 1951. Brook's House of BBQ was featured on $40 a Day.