Local Engineer Brings Back Beloved Armadillo Willy's in South San Jose
A San Francisco Bay Area staple is set to reopen its doors once again, as engineer-turned-entrepreneur John Vink announced plans to revive a closed location of his popular barbecue and deli chain, Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli.
Scheduled to open late this November at 878 Blossom Hill Road, the South San Jose restaurant marks Vink's second attempt at reviving the Armadillo Willy's brand. The initial closure in June prompted him to act swiftly, as he had grown attached to the chain's signature pit-smoked chicken sandwich during his time working at tech giants Apple and Google.
Vink successfully negotiated a bankruptcy court sale for the El Camino Real property and partnered with restaurant veteran Ousmane Barry, who previously managed the Santa Clara Willy's location. Together, they transformed the space into Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli, blending Texas-style barbecue with New York-inspired deli sandwiches.
The revitalized menu has been met with enthusiasm from regular customers, who flock to the Sunnyvale location for the chain's popular brisket plate and brisket sandwich, as well as a Southern-style banana pudding that pays homage to Barry's years working in New York restaurants. The spicy peanut slaw and cornbread muffins with honey cinnamon butter have also made triumphant returns.
With its busy location near Westfield Oakridge mall, the South San Jose outpost is poised for success. Vink expressed his confidence in the restaurant's visibility from the street, citing the bustling area as a major draw for customers.
When asked about the secret to the new pastrami recipe, Barry credited Vink with embracing a brining process that has resulted in an improved product. The team's dedication to quality and innovation has earned them a loyal following, with customers frequently expressing their gratitude on social media.
To celebrate its grand reopening, Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily at 878 Blossom Hill Road.
A San Francisco Bay Area staple is set to reopen its doors once again, as engineer-turned-entrepreneur John Vink announced plans to revive a closed location of his popular barbecue and deli chain, Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli.
Scheduled to open late this November at 878 Blossom Hill Road, the South San Jose restaurant marks Vink's second attempt at reviving the Armadillo Willy's brand. The initial closure in June prompted him to act swiftly, as he had grown attached to the chain's signature pit-smoked chicken sandwich during his time working at tech giants Apple and Google.
Vink successfully negotiated a bankruptcy court sale for the El Camino Real property and partnered with restaurant veteran Ousmane Barry, who previously managed the Santa Clara Willy's location. Together, they transformed the space into Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli, blending Texas-style barbecue with New York-inspired deli sandwiches.
The revitalized menu has been met with enthusiasm from regular customers, who flock to the Sunnyvale location for the chain's popular brisket plate and brisket sandwich, as well as a Southern-style banana pudding that pays homage to Barry's years working in New York restaurants. The spicy peanut slaw and cornbread muffins with honey cinnamon butter have also made triumphant returns.
With its busy location near Westfield Oakridge mall, the South San Jose outpost is poised for success. Vink expressed his confidence in the restaurant's visibility from the street, citing the bustling area as a major draw for customers.
When asked about the secret to the new pastrami recipe, Barry credited Vink with embracing a brining process that has resulted in an improved product. The team's dedication to quality and innovation has earned them a loyal following, with customers frequently expressing their gratitude on social media.
To celebrate its grand reopening, Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily at 878 Blossom Hill Road.
. I mean, who doesn't love a good pit-smoked chicken sandwich? The fact that John Vink and Ousmane Barry are keeping it real with Texas-style BBQ and deli vibes is a total win in my book 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is to see a new location pop up in South San Jose? I've heard so many great things about the original Sunnyvale spot, but now there's another chance for us to get our Willy's fix 
. November can't come soon enough!
the armadillo is back 
and I'm so down 
for some pit-smoked chicken sandwiches 
. The new menu with Texas-style BBQ and New York-inspired deli sandwiches sounds amazing 
. I'm so excited to try the new pastrami recipe and banana pudding 
, can't wait for the grand reopening on Nov 1st 
!
I'm literally SOOOO hyped for the return of Willy's!!! 
! And can we talk about how the Sunnyvale location has already perfected the brisket plate and sandwich game? I'm low-key obsessed with the spicy peanut slaw too, it's like a party in my mouth 
! The fact that he grew attached to their chicken sandwich and wanted to bring back the brand is really cool 
. I'm also loving the new menu items, especially that southern-style banana pudding 
. It sounds like Vink and Ousmane Barry are on point with blending texas-style BBQ with nyc-inspired deli sandwiches 
. The fact that they're getting so much enthusiasm from regular customers is a testament to their hard work 
The new menu is straight fire 
gotta try it all. Also, I'm loving the Southern-style banana pudding... like who doesn't love a good puddin'? 
! But have you ever thought about how our attachment to certain things, like a signature sandwich or a place we've fallen in love with, can be both a blessing and a curse? On one hand, it's amazing that John Vink was able to revive the brand, but on the other hand, it's also crazy how easily he got hooked up with Willy's vibes 
.
. I'm definitely going to check out this new spot when it opens in Nov - busy location near Westfield Oakridge mall is a major win for visibility!