Back in the late 1960’s, Mr. Robert Southwell moved his family to Houston from Indiana. Over time, his son Brian grew interested in the hospitality industry, and decided to pursue his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Wanting to deliver his customers a satisfying dining experience, he decided to open his first local burger joint in 1986…
What inspired you to start Southwells
back in 1986?
I was raised in the food business. My dad ran country clubs. He ran Houston Country Club for 20 years. I worked there for years. When I went to college, I attended the Hilton school at U of H. The plan was always to be self-employed. In 1986, the economy was horrible, so I looked around to see who was not going out of business. Survival was important. Cliff Cullen had a restaurant on Fountainview that was still doing a booming business. I knew that I could do something similar, so that’s why I’m in the burger business.
Where did the restaurant name Southwells
come from?
That’s easy… It’s my last name.
I see old photos on the wall of the restaurant. Who are the people in them?
Those are family pictures. The original plan was to use old pictures of downtown Houston. The company that the downtown library used to print their pictures was very expensive, so I passed. My family was always good about taking and saving old family photos. I called my grandmother and asked for a box of them and used those. People seem to like looking at them. We get lots of questions about them.
What was your favorite food as a child?
My favorite food was my grandmother’s homemade bread with fresh butter and homemade strawberry jam. My mom is an awesome cook too.
My daughter is obsessed with the Cathy’s Grilled Chicken Salad- who is Cathy?
Cathy Hanson and her husband Larry were very good customers at the beginning. They ate at Southwells most days of the week, for years. She owned an aerobics studio. At some point she got tired of chicken sandwiches and asked if I’d put the chicken on top of a salad for her. Soon we had her employees calling and asking for “that salad that Cathy orders”. Then her customers began calling. I put it on the menu and have sold tons of them for 32 years! Thanks Cathy!
Where is your favorite “hang-out” spot in Houston when you’re with your family?
I think we hang out more at the house than anywhere. I have two boys and we have an acre lot. That was a big deal as they grew up. We like to eat out a lot too. Trips to the Friday Ranch in south Texas.
