About us

Bandit BBQ's roots trace back to the 1960s with David Koerner, a World War II veteran from Mason, Texas. After the war, David opened a café in Mason before moving to Lubbock, where he built a backyard smoker and refined his barbecue craft. He frequently exchanged techniques with George Cooper, founder of Cooper's Old Time BBQ, as well as Duard Dockal who purchased Cooper's in 1983, perfecting his brisket smoking and signature BBQ sauce.

His grandson, Chef Brandon Peterson, grew up learning these traditions—building fires, selecting wood, and catering events with his grandparents. Chef Brandon has built a career around developing top-tier restaurants, leveraging the experience and mentoring handed down by his grandparents. In 2013 he bought his first smoker and began recreating the family BBQ recipes and processes that are now the foundation of Bandit BBQ and Burgers.

Today, Bandit BBQ and Burgers carries on David's legacy, preserving his techniques, seasonings, and famous "Granddad's" BBQ sauce. Every dish reflects generations of passion, tradition, and family love.