Leroy Wilson, Who looks younger thann his 52 years, knew it would be tough to go up against local barbecue icons, but he had a niche. A built in following before he opened Wilson's BBQ in 2003.

He often cooked for company events when he worked in the information systems department at Michaels Stores' corporate office. People told him he should start a restaurant, and in February 2003 he did.

His friends, family and former co-workers came to eat on opening day and when people in the neighborhood saw the crowd at the new place, they went in to check it out. Wilson said you know things are going right when your restuarant is sold out the day it opens.