Empire Armadillo BBQ to Open in San Jose
Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli has announced it will expand with a new San Jose location. The restaurant is taking over the former Armadillo Willy's space, aiming to revive the barbecue tradition at that site. The new spot is slated to open in late 2025.
The new owner of Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli, John Vink, is a former Apple and Google engineer who helped build iconic tech like the iPod, iPhone, and Google Nest. A loyal customer of Armadillo Willy's for 29 years, he decided to buy the business when his favorite spot closed, primarily to save his beloved pit-smoked chicken sandwich. To preserve the restaurant's legacy, Vink partnered with Ousmane Barry, the former general manager of the Santa Clara Armadillo Willy's. They've retained much of the original staff, ensuring that longtime customers are greeted by familiar faces. This approach aims to maintain continuity and the community feel of the beloved barbecue joint. The "Empire" in the new name reflects an expanded culinary vision that fuses Texas-style barbecue with New York deli classics. Vink, on a mission to bring something new to Silicon Valley, toured the country to perfect recipes for house-brined pastrami, Reubens, and corned beef to serve alongside the traditional slow-smoked brisket and ribs. The new San Jose restaurant is taking over the former Armadillo Willy's at 878 Blossom Hill Road. This location, along with others in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, was shut down in June 2025 due to financial struggles and an inability to regain pre-pandemic sales levels. The menu will feature the classic Armadillo Willy's barbecue items while introducing new deli-inspired sandwiches. One such addition is a banana pudding inspired by the one from New York's famous Magnolia Bakery, a nod to co-owner Ousmane Barry's two decades of experience in New York hospitality.
