Johnny’s Steaks & Bar-Be-Que offers great food, live music & family atmosphere

By JANNA ZEPP | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

Just off Interstate 35 southbound at Exit 284 sits a barbecue joint at 301 Thomas Arnold Road in Salado that, at your first glance, might not seem much different from any other restaurant of its kind that you’ve experienced. You’d be wrong, though. Very wrong.

Father-son business partners and fellow Texas A&M University graduates Johnny and Josh Bratton both have been in the restaurant business for well over 40 years. Johnny started in the industry in 1980 in Killeen, and then opened Johnny’s Texas Style Bar-Be-Que in 1992. Right after Josh finished his education, the Brattons opened Johnny’s Steaks & Bar-Be-Que in Salado in 2002.

“Well, my dad is probably ready to shoot me most days, but I’m blessed to have such a great man to call Dad. He is the most patient and kind person I have ever met and has taught me so much over the past 23 years in business,” Josh said about working as a father-son team. “He is a silent leader and has allowed me to pursue my dream in growing Johnny’s to new heights over the years. He loves people and people love him, there’s a saying I never get tired of hearing, ‘Ole Johnny, you gotta love him!’”

Johnny’s Steaks & Bar-Be-Que serves up more than tasty brisket and all beef, pork, and chicken lovingly grilled and sauced. It’s also home to Johnny’s Outback, an events venue that hosts Country & Western music legends, such as Tracy Lawrence, Eddy Raven, John Conlee and Asleep at the Wheel. It also hosts Game Day in the Outback, at which you can watch college football all afternoon and into the evening while you enjoy food from Johnny’s menu.

Salado residents regard Johnny’s as something of a local iconic business.

“Johnny’s was the first place we ate when we found and fell in love with Salado. We never missed an opportunity to stop in while we were here checking on the building of our home,” said Salado resident, Lori Thomson. “Now, years later, we are on a first name basis with the servers and often don’t even have to order, because they know our ‘usual.’ We always order the BBQ Tater with Brisket. It is delicious! We love the food, the atmosphere and yes, the concert venue. Whenever we have people visit, we always take them to Johnny’s.”

Another Salado resident, Pamela Shepperd, who has lived there a long time, said there is a lot of history at the place now known as Johnny’s.

“Before it was Johnny’s, it was Lucye’s Place BBQ. Lucye was my great-grandmother and Sonny Berry was my great uncle who took Lucye’s home and converted it into a restaurant,” Shepperd said. “My dad (Cotton Shepperd) adored Johnny. He went there every week with my sons for some years before he passed in 2018. They all loved the BBQ, but my dad was pretty good friends with Johnny.”

The restaurant gives back to Salado in more ways than just food and live music.

“Johnny’s has done so much for this community and our schools. For the 15 years (that) I have been here, they always made it a point to donate toward our science fair — just one the many (Salado Independent School District) organizations that hit them up for a donation every year! Good people, good music, and good food,” Laura Tomlin, Salado Middle School science teacher, said.

Josh said he and his wife, Stacie, love being able to raise their three children in a community like Salado, a community that does so much for them, that they want to return the favor.

“I feel like we owe this town everything. They are the reason Johnny’s is going on 23 years,” Josh said. “I feel like it’s our duty and a blessing as a local business to be able to give back and help this community in any way.”

After more than two decades in business, Johnny and Josh enjoy seeing their early dream become reality — with Johnny’s being a place where everyone feels at home.

“From the very beginning we wanted to build a place where everyone felt at home. We take great pride in being a staple in the village of Salado,” Josh added. “Being in business for 23 years, we are starting to see the kids that were coming in when we started, bring their children in and that’s what makes Johnny’s so unique. It’s become a family tradition.”

Newer residents, such as Jeff Arndt, agree.

“I think the general feedback is ‘It’s Johnny’s’ when asked about the food,” Arndt said. “IMO, it’s a great local place to go on a Friday, grab a drink and dinner in the bar. If you want a quieter environment, the left side is perfect.”

He also says the restaurant is in a category by itself. “If it’s Friday at 5:30 and we are going to dinner locally, it’s going to be Johnny’s. It’s not a 1 star or a 5 star. It’s just Johnny’s.”

Johnny’s Steaks & Bar-Be-Que
Address: 301 Thomas Arnold Road, Salado
Phone: 254-947-4663
Website: johnnystx.com
Facebook: facebook.com/johnnyssteaksandbbq