For I know the plans i have for you...
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Our Story…

Jesus spoke of The Parable of the Mustard Seed which is themed around Heaven growing from a small beginning. “He presented another parable to them, saying, “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the Birds of sky come and nest in its branches” Matthew 13:31-32 (NASB). In a similar fashion, Restoration Barbecue started with an idea the size of a mustard seed, and the idea has begun to grow.

Todd and Maribeth moved to Houston in 2015 to find new opportunities in a harsh economy. In 2016 Todd became interested in the craft of Central Texas Style Barbecue. His hobby started in our backyard using a $40 Wal-Mart charcoal grill that came dented! He spent time researching, testing, stalking YouTube videos, and using his family as guinea pigs to figure out how to make barbecue. After a couple months, Todd started to get the hang of making smoked meats taste really good, and his family and friends were impressed by his new-found talent.

Around this time, the Lagendyk family expanded from a two-adult household, to a two-adult and one tiny human household! They also found a new Church plant in Spring, Texas that they decided to start attending regularly. There, Todd and Maribeth got involved in small groups, volunteering and meeting new people with various backgrounds and lifestyles. Maribeth began school for counseling and Todd continued learning his new hobby. As one can imagine, life was hectic! Around the end of 2016, Todd and Maribeth had the idea of ministry placed on their hearts. They had just found out they were going to be parents (again!) and figured why not explore this idea of barbecue ministry as well? They were unsure of the specifics, but the Lord placed it on Todd’s heart to use his new talent for ministry, and helping those who have been through rough waters and need a second chance. Maribeth has always had it on her heart to help those afflicted inside the criminal justice system, especially ex-addicts who need a second chance. Combining those two passions led to the small idea of possibly starting a barbecue business that could one day employ people with hard life circumstances. However, many hurdles would have to be overcome…

Todd began building an all wood smoker using a 1000-gallon propane tank. He knew for a ministry of this kind to begin, the Lagendyk’s would need to start off their business as debt free as possible. To do this would mean intensive labor, and doing everything himself, little by little. This also meant he would have to find a place to build, devote many hours away from his family, and work long days and weekends. Todd was given the opportunity to use his workplace as a space to build, and by the grace of God got the smoker finished in two and a half months! Once completed, the smoker was 20 feet long, 16 feet tall, 4 feet wide and has the capacity to feed up to 600 people. On December 17, 2016, the ‘big monster’ saw its first cook, and it was a success! Todd was more than happy with his results, and he knew we were one step closer to making our small idea a reality!

Being part of a small church, Todd started networking and getting people interested in his barbecue! In February 2017, he was given the opportunity to cook for 250 people at the Churches Rally Day! That day really changed a lot for the Lagendyk’s. With all the positive feedback, Todd and Maribeth knew this was the right path for them, slowly but surely God would provide! Since that major cook for the Church, Todd has been asked to cater for a wedding, parties and individuals alike. Maribeth has joined in the cooking scene as well, and has created some signature dishes to add her own touch to the business (who doesn’t love Mac n’ Cheese).

Fast-forward to May 2017, Todd and Maribeth agree the next step is to form a business, a real business. But how? Where would the funding come from? How would they juggle a toddler, a newborn and a business? Was God crazy? Why would he plant these seeds in our hearts without any way to commit to it? Being obedient, Todd prayed and waited for doors to open! In June 2017, Todd encountered a business that was selling a trailer for a killer price, a trailer that could be used as a barbecue food trailer. This was too good to be true, right? It had to be… Todd and Maribeth went to look at the trailer and it was what they were hoping it would be, for such a great deal! This would be the trailer that Todd could transform into a mobile kitchen! However, this would mean more hard work, more time, more blood, sweat, and tears…wasn’t there an easier way?

After praying about it, Todd and Maribeth decided to take the leap of faith and get the trailer. Once it was bought, the reality of having a business became apparent. They decided to take the jump and create an official business, and in June 2017 Restoration Barbecue was born! Now comes the fun part, building the trailer, getting permits and opening the business! We served barbecue in the Houston, Texas area from summer of 2017 until 2019. We knew we wanted to take our ministry to where it was needed most…and no other place stuck out more than Vermont! So in the summer of 2019 we sold our house, quit our high paying job, and moved our life across country…again!

 In June of 2019 we landed in Vermont! We have spent the last two years selling out of our food trailer, with intentions of officially launching the barbecue business full time in the near future! It was quite the learning curve going from cooking on blistering hot days to cooking in snow storms! We grew up with snow…but both of us had indoor jobs! In November of 2021 our dream became reality…

In November 2021 we launched the Brick and Mortar of Restoration Barbecue at 131 Woodstock Avenue in Rutland! We have been grateful for the love and support that our business has been shown since starting. We are currently in the middle of expansion, and can’t wait to share what that brings us!

With Love,

The Lagendyks