WICHITA — Father and son Ronnie and Brian Choy hope to make their new barbecue restaurant, When Pigs Fly, just as popular as the expression for which it’s named.
Ronnie and his wife, Collette, and Brian and his wife, Kendra, are opening the restaurant in late September or early October near Central and Ridge.
They can’t say precisely where yet because the lease isn’t done, but the space will hold about 65 people.
“There’s still a lot to be done, to be honest,” Brian Choy says.
He and his wife will be the day-to-day restaurant operators.
Brian Choy spent a total of six years at Pig In! Pig Out!, the last three of which as a manager. His wife still works there.
Ronnie Choy is in the advertising and marketing department of The Wichita Eagle.
Although he likes Pig In! Pig Out!, Brian Choy says, “I feel like there’s not a lot of great barbecue in Wichita.”
He’ll mostly offer smoked meats with occasional grilled meats as specials. He says he’ll have “classic barbecue sides,” such as beans, coleslaw and macaroni salad.
Brian Choy feels like he and his wife can especially establish a rapport with customers as a family business.
“I want to be in touch with my customers,” he says. “I want them to feel like they’re coming into ‘Cheers.’ ”
He thinks the two of them being at the restaurant on a daily basis will help with that.
“I think we make a great couple and a great team.”