Summary:
Quenten Thomas-White, a seventh-generation rancher, sold his cattle to fund Big Daddy’z BBQ & Soul Food, a restaurant aimed at uplifting Victoria's Black community.
The restaurant transforms historically significant dishes like oxtail—once considered "slave food"—into celebrated delicacies, preserving cultural heritage.
Thomas-White addresses employment disparities by creating jobs for Black residents, countering local hiring biases in Victoria's small business landscape.
Beyond serving food, the restaurant feeds the homeless nightly and fosters cross-cultural conversations, building bridges across diverse groups.
With aspirations in preaching and politics, Thomas-White uses his business as a platform for community upliftment, faith, and social change.
Along Moody Street and Highway 59 in Victoria, Texas, stands a building with hot pink accents. Inside, you'll find Quenten Thomas-White—a cowboy-hat-wearing cook with a vision that extends far beyond the kitchen. As the owner of Big Daddy’z BBQ & Soul Food, Thomas-White is on a mission to uplift his community while serving up delicious, culturally rich meals.
A Seventh-Generation Rancher Turned Restaurateur
Thomas-White, a seventh-generation rancher in Victoria County, sold his cattle when prices surged to fund his dream of opening a restaurant. As a young Black man in Victoria, he recognized the racial and economic struggles his community faces and decided to take action. His solution? A soul food restaurant that doubles as a community hub.
From Abandoned Building to Vibrant Eatery
Three years ago, Thomas-White drove past an abandoned building at 611 S. Moody Street and felt a calling. He tracked down the owner, leased the space, and spent nine months renovating it. Now, four months into operation, Big Daddy’z BBQ & Soul Food is already making waves. The restaurant specializes in dishes inspired by his grandparents' recipes, with oxtail being the most popular item—often selling out first.
Turning "Slave Food" into a Delicacy
Thomas-White shared the history behind oxtail: "Oxtail, it used to be what we call slave food. Back in the day, Black people really didn’t have a lot of money. Oxtail was the scraps—the cow’s tail. The older Blacks, before my generation, were able to turn the scraps into a delicacy." What started as a means of survival has become a celebrated dish, and Thomas-White is proud to share this tradition with Victoria.
Addressing Employment Disparities
Through his restaurant, Thomas-White is tackling another critical issue: job opportunities for Black residents in Victoria. He noted, "Victoria has a lot of small mom-and-pop places, but a lot of people here want to hire their own. The Spanish people want to hire Spanish people. The whites want to hire white people. Well, who’s gonna hire the Blacks if there’s no Black business here?" By creating jobs at Big Daddy’z, he’s providing a lifeline for his community.
Feeding the Homeless and Building Connections
At 6 p.m. each day, Thomas-White doesn’t just close up shop—he prepares plates of leftover food and distributes them to homeless individuals. This act of kindness aligns with his broader goal of helping everyone, regardless of their background. Aspiring to become a preacher, he sees his restaurant as a platform for meaningful conversations. "I’m 27 years old, but you’ll never realize looking at an 89-year-old white man how much we have in common until we speak," he said. The most rewarding part? Building long-lasting relationships across diverse groups.
The Inspiration Behind the Name
The restaurant’s name, Big Daddy’z, pays homage to two figures: his great-grandfather, whom he called "Big Papa," and God, whom he refers to as his "Daddy." This blend of family legacy and faith drives everything Thomas-White does. He sees the restaurant as a modern-day family reunion—a place where people from all walks of life can come together.
Beyond the Restaurant: Political Aspirations and Community Upliftment
Thomas-White is also studying political science and envisions a future in politics. But for now, his focus is on uplifting the Black community in Victoria, bridging the poverty gap, and spreading the word of God. Through food, conversation, and compassion, he’s creating a space where everyone feels welcome.
Quenten Thomas-White sits behind the counter of his restaurant, Big Daddy’z BBQ & Soul Food, with his daughter. (Lindsey Plotkin/Victoria Advocate)
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