In a twist of fate fueled by drinks and culinary aspirations, Meat Mafia was born in 2019 from an unlikely night out at Bovine and Barley.
Friends Joseph Manglicmot, Jenny Nguyen, Bao Quan, and Bruce Huy Bui found themselves motivated by a disappointing steak night experience.
After expressing his dissatisfaction with the meal they had received, bar owner Jason Lowery suggested, rather earnestly, that they should host their own steak night at his bar.
What started as a drunken idea became a determined project when Lowery promptly ordered a grill the very next day, prompting the group to commit to their spontaneous venture.
Today, the members of Meat Mafia adeptly balance their corporate day jobs—ranging from engineering to optometry—with hosting lively pop-up steak nights bi-weekly at various bars across Houston like BLVD Park, Christian’s Tailgate, and Tikila’s.
While Manglicmot prefers the classic flavor of a salt and pepper steak, he emphasizes that Meat Mafia also aims to showcase the culinary heritage that they all share.
The group brings diverse influences to their steak nights, incorporating Southeast Asian flavors, including their unique wet brine recipe and Lao-style sliced brisket.
Each event is a surprise, as Manglicmot always aims to offer something different.
From pulled pork sandwiches and smoked ribs making occasional appearances to ongoing offerings like New Zealand lamb chops, prime rib eye steak, Laos sausage, garlic herb rice, and smoked mushrooms, the menu is continually evolving.
Customers can reserve special cuts like tomahawks by messaging the group via Instagram.
Reflecting on their maiden steak night back in the summer of 2019, Manglicmot recalls it as a disaster.
They struggled with long wait times and found themselves in comedic arguments during the chaos, all while a growing crowd of friends and passersby looked on, making the experience both embarrassing and laughable.
However, their determination to improve prevailed.
Through perseverance, they honed their skills, reduced wait times, and solidified their roles within the group: Nguyen manages the front of house, while Manglicmot and Quan oversee the recipes and cooking, and Huy Bui handles operations.
Dian Yi joined the team in 2023 to assist with managerial responsibilities, allowing operational efficiency to flourish.
Initially chaotic, the group now operates smoothly, having found their respective niches within the business.
The story took an unexpected turn when Manglicmot received a call from MasterChef in late 2019, leading him to believe it was a prank.
After verification, he auditioned and ultimately flew out to Hollywood for filming.
While he was under strict confidentiality orders, he humorously misled his family about his whereabouts, claiming he was working in Africa, causing his mother to worry that he might be in trouble.
While he was away, his partners continued to manage Meat Mafia, but the onset of the pandemic disrupted their steak night events, leaving Manglicmot feeling adrift during a national crisis.
Despite his professional and culinary challenges during the pandemic, Manglicmot found camaraderie and support when Gordon Ramsay reached out on FaceTime to keep the contestants’ spirits high.
When restrictions began to lift, Manglicmot returned to Hollywood to complete the filming process, though the episode showcasing his culinary skills didn’t air until June 2021.
Meanwhile, Meat Mafia’s popularity surged in the Houston area.
Manglicmot noted that while the show brought it further into the limelight, Meat Mafia had already been gathering momentum organically.
Over the six years since their inception, the evolution of Meat Mafia has been remarkable.
Initially, the team would buy large cuts of meat and painstakingly hand-cut them into around 200 steaks, a tedious process for such a small group with limited resources.
Now, they have upgraded their tools and hired additional staff, many of whom are former employees from Bovine and Barley, reflecting their growth.
Meat Mafia has earned respect and accolades in the local food scene, especially at Houston’s Rare Steak Championship, an annual culinary event organized by Dining Out.
In 2024, they won the People’s Choice category, and the previous year, they received top honors for Best Creative Dish: Judge’s Choice and Best Traditional Dish: People’s Choice.
Hosting steak nights every other week, the group selects venues that can accommodate large crowds and possess well-trained wait staff, continuing to adapt and refine their concept.
Looking ahead, Manglicmot hinted at exciting developments for Meat Mafia, though he remained tight-lipped about specifics.
Fans and followers will have to stay tuned for announcements expected later this year as they explore new opportunities and directions for the business.
image source from：houstoniamag
