Lutz's Famous BBQ going on Nifong Boulevard

Burl Lutz got his start 12 years ago with a trailer and a barbecue pit, hawking meat in Jefferson City parking lots.

"The first day I opened, I made $34, and it was 4 degrees," he said. "I came home that night, and I said, 'What in the hell am I doing?' "

He didn't always think he would make a living from it, but he did when he opened a restaurant in Jefferson City about five years ago. Now, Lutz's Famous BBQ is opening its second location in Columbia.

Lutz plans to move into the old Blue Moon Restaurant building at 200 E. Nifong Blvd. Flat Branch Pub & Brewing owner Tom Smith, who also owns the HuHot Mongolian Grill franchise and co-founded defunct Datastorm Technologies, bought the building from Azadeh Marboot-Kuchek earlier this month.

"I've been wanting to come to Columbia for years," Lutz said. "Me and Tom have been talking for a couple years, so it's finally going to happen. We're looking forward to it."

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