10/12/2026
Let me put some rumors to rest.
Red House BBQ is not closed.
Red House BBQ is not closing.
Red House BBQ is for sale. That's it. We are still operating at full steam and have been as busy as ever (ask anyone who was here this weekend). Our hours, menu, staff, management etc is unchanged. Everything is moving as it always has.
So why then???
Well, there are several reasons. Mostly though, for 17 years we have been working hard to provide true handcrafted food to our customers. My wife and I work a huge amount of hours, and after 17 years, we are tired. My average work day is between 12 to 16 hours long. That's on the days when we are open. On the days we are closed, I work 10 to 12 hours.
My wife and I really only spend time together at the restaurant. After 17 years, I'm looking forward to actually spending time with my wife and enjoying my life. We don't want to retire, we want to slow down. Pump the brakes if you will.
Here is another big reason. Actually, two big reasons. Edwards Air Force Base.
As many are aware, we have two other restaurants out at Edwards Air Force Base. Our Hawaiian eatery is inside the base exchange and we have a Red House inside of NASA. The Red House inside of NASA also offers pizza and burgers, and we even do breakfast out there. Both of these locations are doing well. I signed a 5-year contract with the Air Force and then I was asked to sign another 5-year contract with NASA. I agreed and we did. Our operations out on base are very simple as far as workload for my wife and I. Base operations are open Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 5pm. That means my wife and I would be home every night and able to have supper together, or perhaps walk downtown Tehachapi and catch a movie. Both locations are also closed on the weekends. We have every holiday off too! I can't tell you how strange it is going to be to have weekends off. My brain is already going at light speed thinking of all the projects I can finally start doing around our ranch. All the things that have been neglected for 17 years. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to slow down, but still do what we love to do.
We will continue to do catering as I have 24-hour access to our kitchens at NASA. Yes, I said kitchens. I actually have three of them out at NASA. My kitchens at NASA are probably larger than my entire building at Red House Tehachapi.
The last big reason, is also two reasons. My daughter and my son. The whole reason why we even opened Red House was so that we could provide a better life for our children. If that meant that I had to work insane hours for so many years that they blurred together and sacrifice my marriage, all my free time and my hobbies, then so be it. That's exactly what I did. That's exactly what my wife and I did. We wanted to make sure that our children had the opportunity to get an education and live the life that they would love to live. When they were little, I missed too many Christmas plays, soccer games, dance recitals, talent shows etc. My children were in the Christmas parades that I never saw. The last time I can remember walking around Mountain Festival and actually enjoying it with my children, Layla was just a little girl and Milo could barely walk. Layla used to carry him.
Our children are grown and are now adults. We did everything we set out to do. It sure did cost a lot though. I'm not speaking of money.
For nearly two decades, my wife and I have always tried to give back to our community, even when we didn't have much to give. We always gave at least a hard effort. I'm so glad that my children grew up with that instilled inside of them.
Believe me, I could go on and on. I haven't even begun to speak about the amazing staff members that I have had over all these years. I'm in contact with very many of them still. They reach out from time to time just to say hi.
Anyways, don't listen to the rumors. If you want to know, just ask me. I'm probably the most accessible business owner in town. It seems like most of this town has my cell phone number 😂. You can always PM me or reach me at one of the restaurants. So before anybody starts speculating or assuming, just contact me and ask me.
Try and be kind to each other.
