The Story Behind Tom’s Chicago Style Barbeque

In 1988, Tom Ryan and his wife were living in the Chicago, Illinois area and decided to go to Phoenix for a short vacation. While they were here, it was pouring down rain and they were essentially sequestered away in their hotel room. Tom – looking for something to do – was reading the phone book and noticed that there were no barbeque restaurants to be found. So he looked up a restaurant broker and gave him a call.

Always on the lookout for a new opportunity, Tom visited a commercial real estate broker(who just happened to be in the office though it was his day off) and inquired about the cost of commercial restaurant space in Phoenix. As it happened, the broker knew of a restaurant that was for sale in Chandler on Arizona Avenue and took Tom and his wife to see the area and restaurant location.

The broker, sensing interest from Tom convinced him to make an offer. Of course, Tom’s wife thought that Tom was crazy, but put up with his crazy notion since she knew it would be a long shot if the offer was accepted especially since it was contingent upon the sale of the restaurant in Chicago.

The stars must have been in alignment that night because immediately upon returning home the broker called Tom to let him know that his offer had been accepted. A buyer for Tom’s Chicago based restaurant also turned up surprisingly quickly.

So Tom and his 4 children packed up their belongings and moved to Arizona opening the first Tom’s Barbeque in 1988. With Tom’s large portions of smoked meat and homemade side dishes and a motto that says “More meat falls off our sandwiches than most put on theirs”, how could it not be a success.

The news of Tom’s success spread back to all his friends and family back in Chicago. Within a number of years, Tom had 14 friends and family running their own Tom’s BBQ’s. As anyone who’s ever owned or been in the restaurant business for a long time will tell you “it’s the labor of love”. That labor of love weeded out most. At present, Tom and his nephew, Rick, (who joined the team 17 years ago at the Southern and Country Club location) are the two sole survivors. Tom’s creative genius in the kitchen and Rick’s business sense made the perfect partnership.

Though each restaurant has its own unique charm, my favorite is the Southern and Country Club location. I won’t spoil the surprise, but all I’ll say is … Ladies, check out the vintage phone booth. Guys, check out the vintage soda can dispenser. And while you are at any of the Tom’s stores, be sure to check out Tom’s T-Shirts….They’ll be the talk of any party.