Taste of Texas Bar-B-Q and Catering, 122 South Union Street in Spencerport, held their Grand Opening and ribbon cutting on May 11. A family owned and operated business, Taste of Texas Bar-B-Q is owned by Richard Mogab, and his wife Kelly and his parents, Richard Sr. and Tina Mogab. Originally from Rochester, the Mogab family moved to Houston, Texas 27 years ago when Richard Jr. was just three months old. "We always held a barbecue at our home in Texas every year for about 200 people. Rich Jr. grew up loving that and he always said he wanted to move back to Rochester and take the barbecue skills with him," mom Tina said.

Rich graduated from Texas A&M University and moved back north, settling in Spencerport. Taste of Texas Bar-B-Q has been catering for over a year now, with the restaurant opening on May 11. The restaurant surely has a "Texas" feel to it decorated with lots of Texas memorabilia and photos. Along with the photos of Texas are many photos the family found in the basement of the building (formerly Diehl's Bar & Grill) of Spencerport in the early days and the building of the canal. The remodeling of the building took about four months and includes installation of the smoker oven in the kitchen that was specially purchased from Missouri.

Taste of Texas offers smoked beef brisket, beef barbecue, pulled pork, smoked chicken and sausage, pork loin, ribs and burgers. The side dishes include Texas favorites: fried green tomatoes, okra and corn bread, along with local favorites beans, potato salad, mac & cheese and more. A children's menu is also available.

The restaurant is informal in style where you order your food and seat yourself. Take out is also available, and it is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

Richard Jr. says he loves living and working in Spencerport. "This is a great community and I'm glad to have this opportunity to open my restaurant and catering business here," he said. Future plans include opening another restaurant, a steak house, here in Spencerport. Rich Jr. also works for the Spencerport Ambulance as Advanced Life Support Chief and Career Staff Supervisor, overseeing 26 people and payroll.

You can reach Taste of Texas Bar-B-Q at 352-4227 or online at www.taste-of-texas.com

June 3, 2007