Bubba?s BBQ Planned for Springdale

Randy Dawson plans to open Bubba’s Big Time Texas BBQ & Sports Bar at 100 Emma Ave. in Springdale between Jan. 15 and March 1.

Dawson said he purchased the century-old, 8,000-SF building from Tom Stephens for $150,000 and is spending about $200,000 on renovations. The building originally housed Wilson’s Department Store in downtown Springdale.

Dawson said he’s not sure he’ll stick with the name. He doesn’t want people to think the restaurant serves only Texas barbecue, because it will offer a variety of barbecue including Memphis and Kansas City style.

“My plan is to offer several different approaches to it as a menu option,” Dawson said. “My theory is you don’t drown it in sauce. A good barbecue will stand on its own. You put the sauce on the side and let people put it on themselves.”

Dawson owned Armadillo Junction, a 10,000-SF restaurant and club in Pasadena, Texas, from 1990 to 1994. Now, he owns Maaco Auto Painting & Bodyworks locations in Springdale and Tulsa.

“For years, I’ve wanted to be in barbecue,” he said. “I think it’s more than a restaurant. It’s a culture.”

Dawson said he hopes the new restaurant will help with the revitalization of downtown Springdale.