Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ, a culinary haven celebrated for its flavors and stories, stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Matt Shlemon and his wife, Athena. Rewinding to the 1980s, Matt’s journey began as a pre-med college student in Chicago. However, the city’s weather failed to align with his aspirations. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he and Athena turned their gaze towards the inviting shores of San Diego in the welcoming embrace of San Diego. In 1987, just weeks after their arrival, serendipity graced Matt’s path. A fateful lunch at Real Texas BBQ unveiled a culinary experience that resonated deeply within him. The food was not merely nourishment; it was a revelation. The restaurant, though not officially on the market, ignited a spark within Matt. Conversations with the proprietors ensued, and during that very lunch, an offer was penned onto a humble paper napkin. Notes upon notes accumulated, forming an impromptu contract, ultimately thrusting Matt into the realm of BBQ restaurant ownership. This union of fate and flavor set the stage for a journey that would intertwine the Shlemon family with the heart and soul of their restaurant, shaping it into what it is today.

In the lead-up to his assumption of ownership, during the period when the notes initially scribbled on napkins were being meticulously transferred into formal escrow documents, Matt and Athena embarked on a journey to Texas. There, they immersed themselves in the vibrant world of BBQ restaurants, engaging in heartfelt conversations with the patrons. It was in the heart of Texas that they absorbed knowledge about wood smokers, the intricacies of meat preparation, a myriad of sauces, and a wealth of other insights. Despite now being proud American citizens, Matt and Athena’s roots trace back to their birth and upbringing in Iraq. They proudly identify as Chaldean-Assyrian Christians. Their journey as a family is marked by five children, all born between 1988 to 1998 and raised within the embrace of the Catholic faith. These children—Mathew, Mark, Abbey, and the twins Angelique and Kiana—have been an integral part of the restaurant’s growth. Having come of age within its aromatic walls, most of them have assumed distinct and independent roles across various operational aspects, ranging from the front of the house to the back, even establishing an in-house marketing team.

In the lead-up to his assumption of ownership, during the period when the notes initially scribbled on napkins were being meticulously transferred into formal escrow documents, Matt and Athena embarked on a journey to Texas. There, they immersed themselves in the vibrant world of BBQ restaurants, engaging in heartfelt conversations with the patrons. It was in the heart of Texas that they absorbed knowledge about wood smokers, the intricacies of meat preparation, a myriad of sauces, and a wealth of other insights. Despite now being proud American citizens, Matt and Athena’s roots trace back to their birth and upbringing in Iraq. They proudly identify as Chaldean-Assyrian Christians. Their journey as a family is marked by five children, all born between 1988 to 1998 and raised within the embrace of the Catholic faith. These children—Mathew, Mark, Abbey, and the twins Angelique and Kiana—have been an integral part of the restaurant’s growth. Having come of age within its aromatic walls, most of them have assumed distinct and independent roles across various operational aspects, ranging from the front of the house to the back, even establishing an in-house marketing team.