Meet Travis Thosath, owner of TT’s Old Iron Brewery & BBQ.
Travis had always visualized owning a neighborhood restaurant with a local vibe where friends and family would gather and enjoy. His dream came to life when he opened TT’s Old Iron Brewery & BBQ in 2019. Travis found the ideal location at an old warehouse at the corner of Bowdish Road and Dishman Mica just waiting to be remodeled. It took Travis and his friends nine months to convert the building into a restaurant and brewery.
TT’s Old Iron Brewery & BBQ has an open-space design where you can watch the cooks prepare your meal. At the opposite end of the restaurant is the brewery, where you can view the brewing processes of their beers through a large window. The décor throughout the restaurant showcases Travis’s love for old cars. All their beers are named after car parts as well.
Travis started brewing beer for family and friends and his personal enjoyment 20 years prior to opening TT’s. Travis honed his brewing skills by developing recipes in a brewery incubator space in downtown Spokane. After two years of commercial success, Travis was ready to open TT’s.
Travis’s love for BBQ took him to Kansas City several times to enjoy their great BBQ and of course a little football. (He is an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan.) After visiting Kansas City’s restaurant scene, Travis got inspired and brought back ideas to enhance the BBQ experience he wanted for his new restaurant.
In the early planning process, Travis contacted award-winning Chef Chad White about becoming a consultant for the new restaurant. During multiple conversations, Chad loves what Travis was creating, and the two become partners. After their first year in operation, TT’s was awarded, “Best New Restaurant” and “Best Barbecue” by The Inlander.
When asking Travis what the most popular menu item is he said, “Everyone enjoys different items, but our brisket is probably the most popular. It just melts in your mouth. Also, the chicken, turkey, and sausage are very popular as well.”
The restaurant started out with a small smoker, and as the restaurant became more popular, they soon installed a commercial smoker which gives them the ability to take on more customers and catering orders. The demand for TT’s has really grown with many large catering orders for special events. Eventually, a food truck will be added to bring the BBQ experience to places around the Spokane Valley and beyond.
TT’s Old Iron Brewery & BBQ has many different options depending on the size of your appetite. Everything from plates to platters, sandwiches, sides, sweets, and more. The brewery also has 12 to 14 different beers on tap, from chocolate stouts to ales, IPAs, and light beers, as well as local cider and wine. TT’s also brews the house beer for MAX at Mirabeau, which is always available on tap. It’s a local favorite.
The restaurant has a core group of servers who have been there since the very beginning when the doors opened three years ago. They are very knowledgeable about the food and beverages and have a good reputation for their hospitality in helping customers with their choices.
Travis’s goal is to maintain a fun and friendly atmosphere for customers and staff, and of course create delicious BBQ and beer for people to enjoy.
Follow TT’s on Facebook for special chef creations and exciting events. They are constantly inventing new sandwiches/meals paired with one of their specialty beers.
