Drexler family barbecue business reaps benefits from success of NBA champion Houston Rockets star Clyde Drexler

Jet, July 3, 1995

One of the hottest spots in Houston to get a bite to eat these days is Drexler's Barbeque.

Since the native son Clyde Drexler was traded to Houston on Feb. 15, Drexler's mom, Eunice, says business has been up about 30 percent.

And since the NBA Finals frenzy began in Houston, business has been up even more. Wall-to-wall customers had to wait as long as 30 minutes to get a bite to eat at the rib joint in the city's Third Ward area.

The restaurant is owned by Mrs. Drexler's son, James, and on any given day hungry patrons can be served from behind the counter by Mrs. Drexler. The business is all in the family. Mrs. Drexler's daughter, Virginia Scott, and a nephew also work in the popular eatery.

Years ago when the place was called Green's Bar-B-Q and owned by Mrs. Drexler's brother, Clyde - now a champion guard - used to work behind the counter.

Although Clyde is part of the basketball memorabilia strewn about the place, which seats about 60 people, there is a good share of memorabilia of other admirable stars.

James provides the special sauce and cooks the food. One of the most popular choices to date is the Clyde Special, which is a beef sandwich with beans, salad and lemonade.

Businessmen cover their ties and enthusiastically suck down the food.

One businessman said he wanted to treat his four colleagues to lunch at Drexler's during the NBA Finals.