Davis Boyer

A note from Empire Armadillo founder John Vink If there's one thing I've learned in our first year, it's that good barbecue is better shared. Some of my favorite moments at Empire Armadillo haven't happened in our dining rooms at all. They've happened at backyard watch parties, office conference rooms, birthday celebrations, and retirement parties all over the Bay Area, where a tray of our brisket or a stack of our deli sandwiches became part of the day. So I want to make something clear:...

A letter from Empire Armadillo founder John Vink on our first anniversary. One year ago, I bought a restaurant so I wouldn't have to give up a chicken sandwich. I know how that sounds. But if you've eaten with us at Empire Armadillo, I think you understand. For 30 years I was a regular at the various Armadillo Willy's in the Bay Area. When I worked at Apple I ate at the Cuperinto location. When I worked at Nest, I ate at the Los Altos location. When I worked at Google, it was the Sunnyvale...

The B-Man Burger at Empire Armadillo was created to honor Bahman, a loyal customer, a friend, and a familiar face whose Saturday lunches became a tradition. Empire Armadillo: A BBQ Legacy Lives On in Blossom Hill When Mina first drove past the Blossom Hill location and saw Empire Armadillo BBQ open for business, she felt a rush of emotion. Just months earlier, in June 2025, Armadillo Willy’s, a longtime neighborhood favorite, had closed its doors. For many, it marked the end of an era. For...