"Every Wednesday he'd head to the nearest Armadillo Willy's barbecue restaurant for the Pit-Smoked Boneless Chicken Sandwich, a juicy thigh topped with jalapeno-spiked barbecue sauce and fresh jalapenos. When I worked for Apple I went to the Cupertino location. Then when I worked for Nest I went to Los Altos. Then Google bought Nest, so we by then it was a group, the VIM, Very Important Meeting lunch club had to come to this location, he said, sitting in what was formerly the Sunnyvale Willy's."
"Vink negotiated a bankruptcy court sale and a new lease on the El Camino Real property and partnered with restaurant veteran Ousmane Barry, who was general manager of the Santa Clara Willy's. They renamed the place Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli, which reflects both the Texas barbecue side of the menu and the new New York City-inspired deli sandwiches. Empire Armadillo opened quietly a few weeks ago."
"Former customers have been posting excited reactions on social media and hugging and thanking the staff when they arrive. It's open! customer Lani Ogilvie rejoiced when she spotted the sign Friday. She ordered a baby back rib plate and said she couldn't wait to break the news to her colleagues. Besides a refreshed restaurant with new tables, diners will find something else new: A display case of iPhones and other products that Vink had a role in creating over the decades.."
John Vink had a 26-year weekly lunch routine at Armadillo Willy's, favoring the Pit-Smoked Boneless Chicken Sandwich. The abrupt closure of three locations in late June prompted Vink to acquire the Sunnyvale site through a bankruptcy-court sale and a new lease. Vink partnered with restaurant veteran Ousmane Barry and renamed the business Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli, combining Texas barbecue and New York-style deli offerings. The restaurant reopened quietly and will hold a public celebration with a blues band and ribbon-cutting. Former customers responded enthusiastically, and the venue features refurbished seating, longtime pitmasters, and a display of iPhones tied to Vink's career.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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