Meet Tim Halls | Owner and Chef of Burnt BBQ, Tacos and Venezuela Cusine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Halls and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting Burnt BBQ and Tacos was really about combining passion, family, and culture into one place. After spending years in the restaurant industry as an Executive Chef and General Manager — and even working as an EMT for 10 years — I realized I wanted to build something that truly represented who I am and the people around me.

Barbecue has always been about bringing people together, and with my wife Maria’s Venezuelan background, we saw an opportunity to create something unique that blended traditional Texas BBQ with Venezuelan flavors and influences. We didn’t want to be “just another BBQ place.” We wanted food that told a story and made people feel at home.

Everything we do is very personal to us. Most of our recipes are made from scratch and inspired by family traditions, friends, and years of experience in the kitchen. Starting this business was a huge leap of faith, especially opening during challenging times, but we believed that if we focused on quality, creativity, and treating people like family, the community would support us — and thankfully they have.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

At Burnt BBQ and Tacos, our food is our art. Every plate that leaves our kitchen tells a story about where we come from, the people who inspired us, and the cultures that shaped us. What sets us apart is that we don’t just serve traditional Texas barbecue or traditional Venezuelan food — we bring them together in a way that feels authentic, personal, and creative. From slow-smoked brisket paired with handmade arepas and cachapas, to Native American fry bread influences and family recipes passed down through generations, our menu reflects our life experiences and our roots.

The heart behind Burnt BBQ and Tacos is family. This restaurant is dedicated to my parents, Sandy Halls Harris and Clifford Halls, who raised me with strong values, hard work, and the belief that passion matters. They supported me when I made the life-changing decision to leave my career as an EMT and attend culinary school in Scottsdale, Arizona. That leap of faith changed my life forever. I also dedicate this journey to my wife and partner, Maria Argumedo, whose Venezuelan heritage and constant encouragement have helped shape both the restaurant and the person I am today.

Professionally, the road was far from easy. Before opening Burnt BBQ and Tacos in 2021, I spent years working as an Executive Chef, General Manager, and restaurant operator. The restaurant industry is incredibly demanding, and opening during uncertain times brought challenges we never expected — rising food costs, staffing struggles, equipment issues, weather (ie snow storms ie…February 2021), and learning how to survive as a small independent business in a highly competitive market. There were moments where giving up would have been easier. But we kept pushing forward by focusing on quality, consistency, hospitality, and staying true to who we are.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that authenticity matters. People can tell when food is made with passion and when a business truly cares about its guests. We make almost everything from scratch because we believe food should have soul. We don’t try to be the biggest restaurant — we strive to be one of the most memorable. It’s all about the “WOW” factor! Another lesson is that success is built through relationships: family, employees, customers, and community support. Burnt BBQ and Tacos would not exist without the people who believed in us and kept coming back.

What I want the world to know about our brand is simple: Burnt BBQ and Tacos is more than a restaurant. It is a reflection of perseverance, culture, family, creativity, and service. We are proud to represent Texas barbecue while also honoring Venezuelan flavors and traditions that deserve more recognition. We want every guest who walks through our doors to feel like they are experiencing something unique, welcoming, and made with genuine care.

One of the most meaningful parts of our restaurant is our dedication wall honoring first responders and military personnel. As a former EMT myself, service and sacrifice have always held a special place in my heart. The patches displayed on our wall are all authentic patches donated by real individuals who have served in the military, law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, ambulance services, and Border Patrol. Every patch represents someone who dedicated part of their life to protecting and serving others. We proudly display them every day as a way to honor their commitment, courage, and sacrifice. It is our small way of saying thank you and making sure their service is never forgotten.

Our story is proof that taking risks, working hard, staying true to your vision, and never forgetting where you came from can create something truly special.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit Plano for a week, I’d want them to experience the city the way locals do — through the food, culture, parks, and people that make it special. Plano has an incredible mix of modern energy and hometown community feel that a lot of people don’t expect.

We’d start the trip exploring Historic Downtown Plano with coffee at 1418 Coffee House, local shops, and murals before ending the day with dinner at Burnt BBQ and Tacos so they could experience our Texas barbecue with Venezuelan influences firsthand.

Another day would definitely include Arbor Hills Nature Preserve because it’s one of the best outdoor spots in North Texas. After hiking the trails, we’d head over to Legacy West and The Shops at Legacy for food, drinks, and nightlife. Plano really shines when it comes to blending outdoor spaces with entertainment and great restaurants.

One of the things I love most about Plano is its diversity, so I’d also take them to explore some of the city’s incredible international food scene. Plano is full of family-owned restaurants and cultures from all over the world, which is part of what makes the city exciting and unique.

What truly makes Plano stand out to me is the people. It’s a city built by hardworking families, entrepreneurs, first responders, teachers, and small business owners from every background imaginable. That sense of community is what makes Plano feel like home, and it’s what I’d want my best friend to experience most.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If I had to dedicate my shoutout to anyone, it would first and foremost be my parents, Sandy Halls Harris and Clifford Halls. They gave me the foundation, work ethic, and values that shaped the person I became. They taught me the importance of treating people with respect, working hard even when times are tough, and taking pride in what you do. When I made the decision to transition from being an EMT into the culinary world and attend culinary school in the mid-1990s, they supported me and encouraged me to follow my passion. That support changed the direction of my life.

I also have to dedicate a huge shoutout to my wife and business manager, Maria Argumedo. She is truly the heart behind so much of what we do at Burnt BBQ and Tacos. Her Venezuelan heritage and love for family and food helped inspire the fusion concept that makes our restaurant unique today. More importantly, she constantly encourages me to keep growing, stay positive, and continue building something meaningful for our community.

Another huge part of our story is our staff. Restaurants don’t succeed because of one person — they succeed because of a team. Our employees put their heart into the food and into taking care of our customers every day, and I’m grateful for every single one of them.

And of course, our customers deserve recognition too. The people who continue to support local businesses, recommend us to friends, leave reviews, bring their families in, and trust us to cater important moments in their lives are the reason we’re still here today. Every customer who walks through our doors has played a role in our story, and we never forget that.

Website: https://www.burntbbqntacos.com

Instagram: @burntbbqtacos

Facebook: @burntbbqtacos

Image Credits
If there’s one small business owner in Plano that deserves recognition, it’s Dub’s Tea N Eats and its owner, Lance Wyman. He’s been a true local icon for at least the last 15 years, and his reputation in the community is well deserved.

Ever since we opened Burnt BBQ and Tacos in 2021, we’ve exclusively served his tea in our restaurant. We bring in both his peach unsweet tea and his regular tea, which we use for our sweet tea. The quality is absolutely outstanding.

One of my favorite moments as a restaurant owner is walking through the dining room and hearing customers take that first sip and immediately say, “Wow… that’s probably the best tea I’ve ever had.” That reaction happens all the time, and it speaks volumes about the consistency and care Lance puts into his product.

In the restaurant industry, you learn very quickly who truly takes pride in what they do, and Lance is one of those people. He’s built something special through hard work, quality, and dedication to the Plano community. Small businesses like his are part of what gives this city its character and heart.

That’s exactly why I’m nominating Lance Wyman and Dub’s Tea N Eats to be featured as an outstanding small business.