Big Daddy’s BBQ and Soul Food in Milwaukee is getting a new name and owner

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• Big Daddy’s BBQ and Soul Food, located on Milwaukee’s northwest side, is under new ownership and will be renamed Big Boss BBQ.
• New owner Donte Lee, son of the previous owner, plans to update the restaurant’s logo, signage, and menu.
• Big Boss BBQ will continue to offer pick-up and catering options, as well as limited on-site seating.

A BBQ and soul food restaurant on Milwaukee’s northwest side is getting a new name and owner.

Donte Lee took over Big Daddy’s BBQ and Soul Food at 9201 W. Capitol Drive from his father, Donald, last month and will rebrand it as Big Boss BBQ at the end of March. Lee is also expanding the menu, updating the restaurant and hiring new staff.

“We’re doing a little remodeling … changing the logo and stuff like that. It’ll be similar, but you’ll feel a different vibe,” said Lee, who has been barbecuing for his father for 10 years and has over 20 years of restaurant experience.

Lee said he expects to install Big Boss BBQ logos and signage during the last week of March.

According to a licensing application filed with the city, Big Boss BBQ’s menu features various styles and sizes of barbequed and jerk meats, including rib, shoulder and chicken. Meal combos allow diners to try two or three meats in one order with sides and cornbread. The restaurant also offers fried fish, sandwiches and desserts like peach cobbler and banana pudding.

“The way I format the dinners out has changed,” Lee said. “When my dad had it, it was baked beans and coleslaw with everything unless you order something on the side (for an additional cost). Now, you can get any side you want with your meal” for no additional cost.

Lee said this was something many customers asked for over the years. Side options include macaroni and cheese, candied yams, greens, potato salad, seasoned fries, red beans and rice, and more.

Lee also added a larger Big Boss BBQ Deluxe meal for $25.99. It includes your choice of two meats and two sides with a cornbread muffin and a soda. The Big Boss Dinner with one meat, coleslaw and baked beans is still available for $16.99. You can also get the Boss BBQ Combo with two meats, coleslaw and baked beans for $19.99, according to the application.

Big Boss BBQ offers special items ― smothered pork chops, smothered chicken, smothered meatloaf and chitlins ― on Soul Food Sundays.

The restaurant has limited on-site seating and offers pick-up and catering options. According to the application, it’s open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

More: After opening a restaurant in Milwaukee during the pandemic, Big Daddy’s BBQ is expanding to Franklin with a second location