From family backyard BBQs to now a cozy spot located in the Pampa Mall, Garon “Bear” Linton has officially made his long-time dream a reality.
“I’ve always had a love for cooking and serving people,” Bear said.
“Throughout the years I’ve always done BBQs at my house wherever I lived and everybody would come over to my house and we always had these huge to-do’s. I’ve been telling myself for years I wanted to be in a restaurant again but I never could afford it. And now after all these years, we’ve been praying for it and God finally said it’s time and we decided to go for it.”
Bear made his presence known in Pampa after moving here a year and a half ago when he became involved in the Farmer’s Market, selling his signature sauces and spice rubs.
The positive feedback that he received from the locals was just the incentive and push that Bear needed to take his culinary talents to the next level.
With a little renovation and hard work, and with the loving support of his wife, Patricia Linton, his son and his First Baptist Church family and the community, Bear opened the doors of his restaurant on March 1, and the city of Pampa was more than excited to welcome Bear’s Backyard BBQ & Catering.
Although the restaurant has only been open for a week, Bear has big plans for expansion that include more additions to his menu, selling his sauces and spice rubs indefinitely and allowing customers to book out the restaurant for events.
“We’re hoping that the ball keeps on rolling and we get more and more in here. We want to make everyone happy, better believe it,” he said.
Coming from Wichita Falls and his wife originally from Detroit, Bear and his family soon felt the magic of the Texas Panhandle, especially in Pampa.
“We’ve lived all over the state and I will say that we were here in Pampa probably for a couple of months before we said this is home. We’re putting our roots here and we’re not leaving again,” Bear said.
“To the people of Pampa, we appreciate what you’re doing for us and your support. Overall, it has been a great experience so far and all we want to do is give y’all the best we can in BBQ and make you feel like you’re in our own backyard. Keep on comin’.”
Bear’s Backyard BBQ & Catering is located in the Pampa Mall to the left through the main entrance and their hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM.
To view their menu and daily specials for the day, visit their Facebook page Bear’s Backyard BBQ & Catering, or call 806-545-0463.
