Smokehouse owner vows to reopen Houma eatery

The smell of ash still lingers in the air as rays of sunlight creep through what used to be a roof. While tattered boards and waterlogged bar stools present a solemn sight at the corner of Barrow and Bond streets, the dream is not over. Flames engulfed Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse last Sunday, destroying the restaurant and an upstairs apartment. While much of the lower level remains intact, thousands of dollars in equipment and supplies was also destroyed.

According to Mike Millet, an investigator with the Houma Fire Department, the fire started around 10:30 p.m. Nov. 29, and continued until around 4:30 a.m. Monday.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office believes the fire started upstairs, where an employee was watching television and noticed smoke. Because the barbeque pits normally run 24-7, someone is always there, said Mike Lewis, owner of Big Mike’s.

Lewis arrived at the restaurant shortly after the fire began, confident that fire fighters would be able to extinguish the blaze.

At first glance, “…it didn’t look bad,” he recalled. “I didn’t see fire for the first hour and a half that I was there. It was all smoke.”

But as the flames grew, Lewis’ dreams dwindled. However, that didn’t stop him from mentally preparing for the long road ahead. “You just have to think about the next step,” he said.

While investigators have not confirmed the cause of the fire, Lewis suspects it will be electrical. “I’m almost sure that’s what it’s going to end up being.”

Millet said that foul play is not suspected.

Meanwhile, Lewis remains thankful that no one was injured. He said the tenant of the upstairs apartment “lost nearly everything” and is in the process of recouping important items like a Social Security card and driver’s license.

The faithful shall proceed

A fire that manages to destroy a lifelong dream is nothing positive. But don’t tell “Big Mike” that.

“The only thing that can come out of this is good,” said Lewis, adding that people had been telling him to relocate and “…now [the restaurant] is forced to.”

With a smile on his face, he also said faith has played a big role in the recovery process, agreeing that things happen for a reason.

“If you’re not a faithful person, then you really have nothing to try to help you with the situation,” explained Lewis. “It provides possibilities for things to get better.”

Standing among the rubble of what used to be a bustling business, Lewis stoically looks to the future. And a walk through the remains of a life-long dream brings to mind how things can change in an instant.

Originally from Tampa, Fla., Lewis moved to Houma three years ago in hopes of pursuing a lifelong dream.

He said after receiving his first job at Little Caesars, he knew he wanted to become an entrepreneur.

Salvaging dreams

The damage to Big Mike’s is unmistakable as charred boards and piles of debris litter the small parking area directly in front of the restaurant. But surrounded by the damage, there is an iron horse.

A new smokehouse and three barbeque pits were spared during the ordeal. “The fire never even got to [any] of that,” said Lewis, “…but it’s hard to tell what else can be saved.”

Lewis also said that when he eventually receives an OK, he plans to pull out what he can. The building still hosts a caved in roof and numerous dangers, like rusty nails and electrical wires.

From the outside it looks as though nothing can be saved, but the inside tells a different story. A row of bar stools sit unscathed, aside from the ash and dust that has collected over the course of the week. While news articles hang from a wall behind the bar – memories now hidden behind sheets of smoke.

In the meantime, Lewis plans to rebuild his business. He said that a location in the same area is a possibility and expects to open within 3 to 4 months. However, he is currently seeking loan approval. “If I can get these loans approved…we should be up pretty quick.”

With things moving ahead, locals have also stepped up to support a reopening. “The community has really reached out to us. We’ve had people call and offer us ideas for locations, or actually even had locations,” explained Lewis.

And with plans to solve the parking problems of the past – the old location was limited to around six parking spots and one row of seating – Lewis said the new Big Mike’s would be bigger and better.

Good food, good times

Talk to anyone near Barrow Street and you’re likely to hear a good thing or two about Big Mike’s.

Over the past two years, Lewis’ name – Big Mike – had become almost infamous. “We were a fortunate business,” said Lewis. “We had a lot support from the community. Everyone in Houma and the surrounding area supports us. They really made this opportunity happen.”

And now with the restaurant out of commission, locals are counting down the seconds until they can once again enjoy a savory bite of barbeque.

Mike Monier, a Thibodaux native and barbeque fanatic, is one of those locals.

“In fact, I called [Big Mike] shortly after reading an article in the paper to make sure I was still going to be able to get a brisket sandwich,” he said.

Monier touts Lewis as nothing short of an excellent cook. “He really does a fine job. He’s very, very knowledgeable about the craft [of cooking barbeque].”

Barbeque brisket was Monier’s favorite. But Lewis “…works magic with chicken as well,” he added.

Unfortunately, for the next few months the pits at Big Mike’s barbeque will be turned off. But for Lewis, the added time will allow him to prepare his iron horses to do battle once again.

Mike Lewis, owner of Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse in Houma, prepares for the long road ahead. Flames destroyed the restaurant last week after a fire broke out in an upstairs apartment. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS