Aunt Tina’s BBQ becomes the go-to place for Gibbs and Corryton folks craving meat and ribs
Tina Betz launched her food truck, Aunt Tina’s BBQ, back in December. “It was very popular. The community really came out and just opened their arms to us,” she said.
“We were always out there, but we ran out of food a lot. They would come and just get everything.”
And word spread about her pulled pork, ribs and her banana pudding. “We were open every day except Wednesday and Sunday because of church,” Betz said. “Opened for lunch and supper and welcomed call-in orders.”
Aunt Tina’s BBQ became the go-to for people in Gibbs and Corryton who had a craving for barbecue.
“The owners of Peppers Grill & Pizzeria, near Gibbs High School, were ready to get out of the restaurant business,” Betz said. “He contacted me and said, ‘You are doing great in the community, we have been following you and everybody loves you and would love to have a BBQ restaurant, what do you think?’”
Betz said she and her husband, Steven, prayed about it. “And here we are,” she said.
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Betz, who loves to cook with Steven, had been transitioning from a 20-year nursing career and decided to open her first restaurant. “This is the first time I’ve worked in a restaurant,” she said.
The restaurant at 7507 Tazewell Pike needed an extensive eight-week renovation to suit its needs.
Aunt Tina’s BBQ opened for business on May 20 at 6 a.m. for breakfast, and by 7:30 p.m. on May 21 — and several trips to the store later — they ran out of almost everything and had to close early.
Opening weekend was considered a trial run, and Betz said they had decided to drop breakfast service and focus on lunch and dinner service. They adjusted their hours to 11 a.m.-9 p.m. every day and remain closed on Sunday and Wednesday.
“Everyone that has been here is glad we are here and to have barbecue here,” she said.
"There is no barbecue around here. They have to drive all the way into town to get it, so they love having the option to come here.” And the steady flow of business up to the counter and through the drive-thru seems to prove it.
The menu has been expanded.
“Now we have fries, chicken tenders, BLTs, thick cut bologna sandwiches with Texas toast,” said Betz.
“We have three specials: pinto beans and cornbread on Mondays; homemade chicken and dumplings on Tuesdays and spaghetti and salad on Thursdays.”
The traditional pulled pork or brisket with a bun, a half or full rack of ribs and pulled chicken are on the menu.
Platters come with two sides or three meats. Smoked spuds can be topped with pulled pork or chicken or brisket.
The options for sides are baked beans, mac and cheese, green beans, corn, coleslaw, fries, or mashed potatoes and gravy.
The kids’ menu offers sliders, chicken tenders or hot dog with fries or any other side.
Refreshments include a choice of soda, sweet or unsweet tea, coffee, milk and juice.
So far, Aunt Tina’s has hired several high school and college students to work at the restaurant. “Some of them don’t have restaurant experience, and for a couple it’s their first job,” said Betz. “I am happy to give them a chance to learn it.”
Aunt Tina’s offers dine-in table service, to-go orders at the counter and a drive-thru where customers can call ahead.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Aunt Tina’s BBQ is the go-to place for Gibbs and Corryton residents
