Spencer’s Smokehouse and BBQ bids farewell

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Spencer’s Smokehouse and BBQ has served countless customers over the years.

On Saturday, it will serve its last one.

Owner Michael Spencer announced he is retiring after 35 years in business. The restaurant’s final day will be Saturday, Dec. 31.

“It was a really hard decision to make because I’m really going to miss the customers who are like family to me,” Spencer said.

Spencer said while he loves serving customers, the rigors of the job are taking a toll. He handles much of the food prep, cooking and day-to-day operations of the business.

“There is a lot of mental and physical stress with this job,” he said. “You have the mental part with any job, but the physical stress is hurting me more.”
His family also encouraged him to retire.

“We want to keep him around for years and if he continues to work the way he’s working it’s going to shorten his life,” said son-in-law Christian Anderson. “We want him to be able to spend more time with his grandkids.”

The past few years have been a challenge. Spencer said their business thrived in the early part of the pandemic with a steady stream of customers ordering takeout. That business slowly waned. And the lunchtime crowds, primarily from Tinker Air Force Base, and private events never returned.

COVID relief funds helped keep the business afloat during the rough patches. They also received a grant from the Midwest City Memorial Hospital Authority to replace the smoker and equipment.

“We really appreciate the help from the Hospital Authority and if we did not have those grants, I’d have closed three years ago, like other restaurants,” Spencer said.

The restaurant has employed hundreds of people over the years. It was a first job for many local teens. And some of those had children who also later worked at Spencer’s.

Spencer said he’s had two main managers over the years. Tom Burgy worked there for about 19 years and recently passed away. Sam Ginn has worked as a manager on and off for about 16 years.

Spencer made the decision a few weeks ago.

“I’ve shed a lot of tears over the past few weeks,” he said. “The hardest part was telling people and my employees that I’m retiring.”

The restaurant’s Facebook page has been flooded with heartwarming messages from customers and former employees, thanking Spencer for serving the community and wishing a happy retirement.

Spencer said he’d like to sell the business but hasn’t yet found a buyer.

The restaurant was started by the Spencer family in 1988. Michael started the business with his late wife Carol, late brother Steven and his sister-law Molly. Carol passed away in 2017 and Steven and Molly moved to Texas. Steven passed away earlier this year.

Michael grew up in Midwest City and went to college at North Texas State, now the University of North Texas, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. After college, he served in the Army for two years, including 13 months in Vietnam.

Michael returned to Texas and taught in Frisco, along with his late wife Carol. In 1988, the couple moved back to Midwest City to start the restaurant. Michael’s brother Steven and sister-in-law Molly asked them to go into business together.

With a lot of hard work and support from the community, Spencer’s grew into a favorite in eastern Oklahoma County.  The restaurant is known for their delicious smoked meats, homemade sauces, fritters and generous portions.

Spencer’s is located at 9900 NE 23rd St.