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Opened in 1987 by Barbecue Brother Jerry Mikeska, Mikeska’s BBQ and Catering in Columbus will soon close after decades of serving the local community.
Jerry Mikeska sold the restaurant to current owner David Divin before his death in May 2020 at the age of 96. Divin declined to comment but did confirm the restaurant’s imminent closure.
Before the location near Interstate 10 opened, Mikeska began operated his catering business in downtown Columbus in 1956 after returning from serving in the Army Air Corps. Mikeska belongs to “The Barbecue Brothers,” a family of brothers all operating barbecue businesses across Central Texas.
The legacy started with John Mikeska, Jerry’s father and a poor Czech immigrant who operated a leading meat business in the 1920s in the Taylor area with the support of his six sons and three daughters. Rudy Mikeska Sr., John’s third son, introduced the family’s operations to the retail sector and owned and operated Rudy Mikeska’s Barbecue in Taylor until his death in 1989. The restaurant continued to operate until 2009. Eventually, the family industry grew with sons Mike opening in Smithville, Jerry in Columbus, Louis in Temple, Maurice in El Camp and Clem in Temple.
John’s daughters also entered the food and hospitality industry. Ann Mikeska Jozwiak owned and operated the Diamond Inn for over 50 years. Val Mikeska Lindeman assisted her brother Clem in Temple. Martha Mikeska Vaneck’s children bought McDonald’s franchises. The third Mikeska generation is still involved in the family businesses.
