by Deena Cheek / photos by Pat Gallagher
There are few things stronger in the South than a good home-cooked meal and family bonds.
In David Duncan’s case, that combination made it all too easy for him to move to Quitman and open up a restaurant with his family. After spending years as a restaurant manager, he felt it was time to move forward with his experience and take his family along for the ride.
“I worked hard for so many years under other people, so I figured if I was going to work that hard, I should be working for myself,” David says. “When my father retired, I figured it was time to move down and give (my family) a project.”
Since his family has lived in Quitman for almost 200 years, when he started searching for a location for his restaurant, it was only natural for him to fall in love with a brick building as historic as his family line.
“I just loved the outdoor seating, the balcony, the corner location,” he says. “I wanted something with a lasting, solid feel to it — that’s why I named it Brickhouse — because that’s what it is.”
Despite the restaurant’s corner location on the main drag through Quitman, it can be easy enough to miss. There is no big, flashing sign out front, just a banner that hangs down with the Brickhouse name. Due to the close proximity to the street, a sign would be considered a safety hazard by the city. But a lack of bright lights doesn’t seem to keep customers away. David relies heavily on the community word of mouth to bring new customers to his doors.
“We’re not trying to be the best kept secret in Quitman,” he says. “But the community’s been very supportive. We have some diehard regulars here.”
It seems the regulars have discovered what David says is the most unique part of Brickhouse Bar & Grill: Its menu selection. Brickhouse Bar & Grill offers everything from Greek gyros to alligator. And while there is a wide variety of non-traditional Southern food, Southern roots show up everywhere on the menu. Fried pickles, fried mushrooms and even fried green beans are just a few of the items that have gained Brickhouse regulars.
There is a special every week, two pool tables in a game room to pass the time while waiting for a table and even live entertainment every second Friday. Brickhouse has strived to maintain a unique reputation in the short time its doors have been open — April 17 marks the one year anniversary — and David isn’t about to give up his family secrets for achieving such memorable meals.
“The alligator breading, barbecue sauce and steak seasoning are all old family recipes,” he says. “The steak seasoning is something I’ve been working on for years. It’s my most closely guarded secret.”
While he is keeping the secret ingredients to himself, he is clear on who is responsible for getting Brickhouse up and running.
“The number one reason we’re so successful is because of my family,” he says. “I owe them everything.”
Sharing his strong passion for food in the community isn’t the only way David is extending his family roots. Expecting his first child in June with wife, Andrea, he is considering letting Brickhouse customers help name the “Brickhouse baby” with a name suggestion bowl.
“It would be interesting to see what people come up with,” he says. –VS
Brickhouse Bar & Grill Fast Facts
• Brickhouse Bar & Grill is located at 219 East Screven Street in Quitman. It can be reached by calling (229) 263-9006
• Brickhouse Bar & Grill is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and from 5 p.m. to until for dinner and Saturday from 5 p.m. to until.
• Brickhouse Bar & Grill offers a catering service for all types of events and 10 percent discounts for emergency medical services personnel, police, fire and teachers.
• Brickhouse Bar & Grill hosts a Happy Hour five days a week from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
