'The kitchen is my happy place': Couple opens barbeque restaurant

Michael and Jessica Quick have poured their passions into a new restaurant in Kimball Township.

BBQuick's Eatery and Catering is a culmination of hard work, love and passion. Owning a restaurant has been a longtime dream for owner Michael Quick, who has been in the culinary world for 27 years. He and his wife are operating their restaurant in a community-oriented fashion.

"We've been touched by the communities in the surrounding area, and we want to give back," Jessica Quick said.

BBQuick's Eatery and Catering is located at 5533 Lapeer Road in Kimball Township. The restaurant used to be known as Wadhams's House of Pizza. Michael and Jessica Quick have kept the original 1950's décor and a few of the old menu items.

The grand opening is set for June 2 to June 4. Throughout that weekend, people will get to enjoy menu specials, raffles and activities such as karaoke and facepainting. The Quicks also plan to give away baskets with homemade pizza sauce, barbecue sauce and barbeque rubs.

"The grand opening is just a great opportunity for people to bring their families out and celebrate with us the start of a longstanding restaurant in the community," Michael Quick said.

Additionally, RadioFirst will be broadcasting live at the grand opening activities on June 3.

Michael Quick started cooking at 16 years old in the Golightly Vocational School in Detroit. He then became a military cook during his time in the Navy. When the military sent him to school, Quick continued to pursue culinary arts.

Michael Quick has since gone from working as a cook, to a sous chef to now owning his own restaurant.

"The kitchen has always been my happy place," he said. "I enjoy cooking, so whether or not I got my own restaurant, I knew I would be in the kitchen. But it just so happened that God blessed me enough to get this place."

The Quicks want BBQuicks to be more than just a restaurant. Jessica Quick said there will be opportunities for local students to expand their learning. The Quicks are looking into doing different things with the community such as culinary classes, kitchen basics and life skills.

"We want to have mentorship opportunities here," Jessica Quick said. "It's limitless."

The Quicks are looking into partnering with nearby schools as well.

One way the Quicks are currently giving back to the community is the No One Goes Hungry Fund. The Quicks set aside any change or loose bills they have, and anyone who comes to their restaurant that is hungry and can't pay will be fed. Michael Quick said growing up in East Detroit and seeing people come to restaurants in that situation inspired him to create the fund.

"Even if I have to take it from my own pocket, I will make sure people get fed," Michael Quick said.

The Quicks said the community has been very welcoming of them and their restaurant. Some regular customers of Wadham's House of Pizza continue to come in. Additionally, The Quicks kept the open kitchen from Wadham's House of Pizza, which allows them to interact with customers as their food is made.

"People get to see how magnetic he is in the kitchen," Jessica Quick said.

Michael Quick said the open kitchen allows BBQuicks to have an inviting atmosphere that makes them stand out to people.

See the full menu at www.bbquickseats.com/menu. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.