Owner Frank Vasos (second from left) relocated the barbecue restaurant to Sugar Land in 1989.[/caption]
Vasos Bar-B-Q owner Frank Vasos is guided by a simple philosophy when it comes to running his restaurant: to serve quality food and maintain a family-friendly atmosphere. By implementing this philosophy, Vasos said he has been able to build a strong customer base that has allowed him to operate in the Sugar Land community for 26 years.
“When you come in here we’re not going to lure you in with loud music and drink specials,” he said. “We have customers who come in and eat the same thing over and over again.”
Vasos’ parents, Bill and Catina Vasos, established Vasos Bar-B-Q in 1977 in Houston after emigrating from the Peloponnese Islands to the U.S. in 1969. Frank said he learned barbecue techniques while working for his dad in the original location.
The restaurant operated in Houston for 12 years before Frank assumed ownership and relocated the restaurant and his family to Sugar Land. Frank said relocating the restaurant allowed him to establish the restaurant’s flavors in a new market.
Vasos Bar-B-Q utilizes hickory wood to fuel its smoke pit to slowly cook beef, chicken and sausage. Frank said he prefers to use hickory wood to smoke the meat because it provides a much sweeter and savory taste.
“Throughout a city you can have five barbecue places, and they all taste different,” Frank said. “I try to sell myself through the quality of the food, and let the food do all of the talking.”
The most popular menu items include beef brisket, barbecue sandwiches and baked potatoes topped with a choice of chopped brisket, link sausage, turkey breast, ham or grilled chicken breast. The restaurant also serves homemade barbecue sauces and coleslaw as well as prepares its hand-picked green beans.
Frank said he strives to handpick ingredients and prepare dishes in-house to ensure each dish is consistent when served to customers.
As the eatery continues to build its customer base, Frank said he plans to expand the restaurant’s catering services. Vasos Bar-B-Q features an extensive catering menu for weddings, family gatherings and corporate events. The catering menu features dishes from various cuisines, including Mexican, Italian and Greek.
Although Frank said he has no immediate plans to expand the business or open a second location, he often searches for different avenues to improve the restaurant while maintaining its family-friendly roots.
“Change is good when you evolve with the times,” he said. “If the situation presents itself, we will expand. We’re always looking for opportunities to grow, but slow growth is the best growth.”
