Industry Night is the long-talk format radio show and podcast that brings you up close and personal with the trends and trendsetters across today’s diverse food, wine, spirits, brews and hospitality landscape. For in-depth insights and insider tips, join your host, Nycci Nellis, cohost of Foodie and the Beast, the DC area’s one and only food and wine variety show, and all the locally, nationally and globally renowned chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, mixologists, somms, distillers, brewmasters, pit-masters and more that you’ll hear from on Industry Night.
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Industry Night is the long-talk format radio show and podcast that brings you up close and personal with the trends and trendsetters across today’s diverse food, wine, spirits, brews and hospitality landscape. For in-depth insights and insider tips, join your host, Nycci Nellis, cohost of Foodie and the Beast, the DC area’s one and only food and wine variety show, and all the locally, nationally and globally renowned chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, mixologists, somms, distillers, brewmasters, pit-masters and more that you’ll hear from on Industry Night.
The Incredible Journey From El Salvador to DC and The Creation of 2 Fifty BBQ
Industry Night with Nycci Nellis
50 minutes 16 seconds
1 year ago
The Incredible Journey From El Salvador to DC and The Creation of 2 Fifty BBQ
Welcome to another Industry Night here at The Point in DC. Yes, I have been out and about last week — did you see me? Actually, you did not see me because I have been sunning my tush in lovely St. Martin. Once again, I ate through the delicious town of Grand Case, nestled on the French Side of Saint Martin. And yes, Caribbean spiny lobster was consumed daily, but you know I have a voracious appetite:
-First Night lobster and ribs at the lolos aka the shacks. Our favorite, Cynthia's Talk of the Town
-Picked up warm croissants, savory & sweet, every morning from Maison Chocolat (pro-tip: the iced cappuccino)
-Tuna and other incredible raw fish prepared all the ways at Rainbow Cafe
-Gold-flecked caviar topped beef tartare at Le Pressoir
-Strands of pasta topped with silky burrata at Spiga
-Carpaccio of tuna & wahoo fish at Le Bistonome
Talk about if you know you know!
Okay, on to today's show. BBQ! What do you consider BBQ to be? An outdoor meal? Proteins roasted over a wood or charcoal fire? High heat? Low heat? And what about all the styles?! Texas, Carolina, Memphis? AND that's just in the US. We know a whole world cooks in this style as well. How does Grilling differ from BBQ, I mean, seriously?! So, over the summer, I had the chance to sit with Debby Portillo Gonzalez on F&TB. She was nominated for a RAMMY award. And while I was already a fan of her & her husband's Fernando Gonzalez 2fifty Texas BBQ. Their story is fascinating. They met when they were young — teenagers — and they took a long road from El Salvador to open up 2fifty Texas BBQ during the shutdown of 2020.
I am so excited to talk with Debby & Fernando today, talk their Salvadoran heritage, their food, and all the things.
Guests Social Media Links:
Debby & Fernando Gonzalez
Instagram:
Fernando:https://www.instagram.com/fher_gope/
Debby:https://www.instagram.com/debbyportillo/
Business:https://www.instagram.com/2fiftytexasbbq/
Facebook: facebook.com/2fiftybbq
Quotes
"We had to prove to the government, to this administration, that our plan would work fast because time was limited." - Debby Gonzalez
"Be creative in the kitchen, experimenting and trying new things. Like a skilled cook, make a plate out of whatever you have. Yes, you can!" - Fernando Gonzalez
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
05:28 - A Growing Barbecue Scene: Couples Open a New Restaurant
07:46 - Close-Knit Family and Restaurant Roots: The VIP Table Experience
11:38 - Life Amidst Civil War: David's Upbringing and Perspective
15:11 - Salvadorians Making a Mark: Creating and Importing Goods to the US
18:12 - Engineering and Transformation: A Fascinating Journey of Change
20:04 - From Tasting to Learning: The Amazing Brisket and Smoking Process
25:21 - Texas-Style Barbecue: The Utilization of Highly Seasoned Woods
26:12 - Catering Service: Weekends Filled with Delicious Orders
30:22 - Immigration Fast Track: Advice from an Attorney for Government Approval
33:45 - Unexpectedly Perfect: The Landlord's Suggestion for Restaurant Space
35:48 - Expanding the Menu: Curiosity Drives the Creation Process
41:01 - Personal Stories and Consumer Connection: Enhancing Understanding
42:57 - Opportunities in the Restaurant Industry
46:41 - Promotions and Growth: Fostering a Family-Like Atmosphere
49:55 - Outro
Featuring Nycci Nellis
https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/
https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/
Produced by Heartcast Media
http://www.heartcastmedia.com
Industry Night with Nycci Nellis
Industry Night is the long-talk format radio show and podcast that brings you up close and personal with the trends and trendsetters across today’s diverse food, wine, spirits, brews and hospitality landscape. For in-depth insights and insider tips, join your host, Nycci Nellis, cohost of Foodie and the Beast, the DC area’s one and only food and wine variety show, and all the locally, nationally and globally renowned chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, mixologists, somms, distillers, brewmasters, pit-masters and more that you’ll hear from on Industry Night.
