By Tina Tidmore
Patrons who visit Woody’s BBQ regularly may know the owner has been wanting to sell for a while. When Doris Caine’s husband heard that, he brought home the idea that his wife could become a restaurateur.
Doris Caine said she just turned 51 and has been a stay-at-home mom for the last 10 years. She has a 7-year-old son, who is in school during the day.
“Something was missing,” she said. “There was something more I wanted to do.”
Caine’s husband has a carpet cleaning business and used to stop into Woody’s when in the area.
“I think I finally found my knack,” Caine said. “I love cooking for my family. Now I like cooking for those outside the family.”
However, as with every entrepreneur, she has already had to learn some lessons
.
“I’m a good cook,” Caine said. “But I didn’t think about cooking for this many. It’s not like cooking for Thanksgiving.”
After taking over the business and signing a lease for the building a few weeks ago, Caine said she has been very pleased with the positive response. She said she is starting to get more moms and children during the lunch hour.
“It makes me want to do a little bit more every day,” she said.
Her focus is on the food, including her banana pudding and cakes she makes herself. This focus caused a few laughs in the first days when she was so busy trying to make sure people had good food, the customers had to remind her to ring them up and take their money.
Caine drives all the way from Hoover every day to run the restaurant. When asked if she and her husband will be moving to Trussville to lessen the driving time, Caine said, “I think it’s in the making.”
Caine said she has already painted and done some cleaning work in the kitchen and dining room. However, more is planned. She hopes that one day she will have more outdoor seating and an enclosed area with a playground to attract more families.
The menu will gradually be expanded, also. She plans a Sunday brunch and a hot bar during the weekday lunch hours, while keeping the catfish and the barbecue.
“I do a great meatloaf,” Caine said.
Right now, Caine BBQ is open for lunch and dinner, closing at 7:30 p.m.
When asked if she has the energy to run a restaurant, Caine said, “I actually do.”