Bobby B’s opens Copperas Cove location
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
For Killeen native Bobby Butler, cooking is something that runs in the family. And now, he owns not one, but two restaurants, one of which is in downtown Copperas Cove and 212 S. 2nd St.
“I’ve been cooking since I was six years old; I learned to cook with my grandmother while she was cooking. Also, my mother and dad,” Butler said. “I’d bring in wood chips and wood to my dad, when he was cooking at the barbecue pit.”
The Ellison High School graduate went to college and played basketball, but said he found himself being the one cooking for friends and roommates.
“I was playing for Weatherford College, and I used to cook for my teammates in the dorm. I used to tell them, ‘I’m going to go to the league, and then I’ll retire and open a restaurant. The league never happened, but I did open my restaurant.”
Then, he found himself back in Killeen and wanting to share his love of soul food and southern cooking with the region.
“My brother had opened his restaurant before I did, Butler’s Barbecue,” said Butler. “I ended up helping him out, and it inspired me to take that step and open my own restaurant.”
When he opened Bobby B’s Soul Food Kitchen & More on 3601 Zephyr Road in Killeen in 2016, he also had a plan in mind: open another restaurant in five years.
In May 2021, Bobby B’s Southern Cooking & More opened its doors in downtown Copperas Cove.
“It was exciting,” said Butler about the second restaurant becoming a reality. “I said I’d open a second one within five years; it was accomplishing a goal I’d set for myself.”
Bobby B’s offers a lineup of Southern main dishes such as smothered pork chops, neck bones, chicken wings, smoked brisket, ribs, catfish, as well as burgers and even fried bologna. Sides include southern mainstays such as collard greens, mac ‘n cheese, sweet potatoes, and okra, as well as mashed potatoes, green beans, rice, pinto beans, baked beans, and fries. For younger diners, there are children’s plates on the menu.
Daily specials include items such as smothered pork chops and a choice of two sides, with a drink and dessert for $12.50, or neck bones with sides, drink and dessert, for $13.
The dining room is open, but Butler’s restaurant does a brisk business for carryout orders. Diners can phone in ahead for their orders.
He also has plans in the works for home delivery of his cooking.
Presently, Butler divides his time between both of his restaurants, overseeing staff which prepare his fresh, seasoned food.
Butler said the welcome from the Copperas Cove community has been great.
“They’ve been showing us a lot of love here in Cove,” said Butler. “I remember when I used to stay down here in Cove, there was nowhere really for me to go to eat. I mean, there was McDonald’s, Burger King, and Jack in the Box…so that’s when I started cooking a lot more at home.”
Bobby B’s in Copperas Cove is one of the newest businesses infusing some renewal into Copperas Cove’s downtown.
Just prior to Bobby B’s opening, Snacks By The Pound opened, also on South 2nd Street and directly next door to the restaurant. Around the corner from Bobby B’s on Avenue D is a pair of new businesses, 7 Day Fadez Barber Shop and Color Me Knot Tattoo. Around the other corner on Avenue E are longtime businesses Babies ‘N Things, which celebrated 10 years in 2020, and C&H Hawaiian Grill.