The M&D's Story

The Start…
It was long ago, 1940 or so, in the back woods of Texas where cotton fields grow. When late Johnny Holiday Sr. knew he discovered the secret for great tasting bar-b-que. He mixed two special woods in his BBQ pit, that made an aroma so tempting, he said, “This is IT!” He BBQ'ed rabbits, turkeys, armadillos and such, pigs, chicken and ribs the folks loved so much. So he taught this secret to his son-in-law and daughter too, that's Mack and Daisy Shead, or M&D to me and you.

It Grew...
Soon the military beckoned and M&D had to leave home. They packed the bags, the secret and children and moved to a place called Rome (New York, that is). They stayed there in Rome and started savin’ so they could open in style, “Shead's BBQ Haven”. Not so far away in the city of Indianapolis, Mack's Father, Rand Shead, Sr., started his own ‘Rib Palace’. Soon his children decided to give it a try, and get their own piece of the BBQ pie. So first there was, straight from the south, opened in Denver, Shead's First Fish House. Years later, on 34th, Shead's Fish and Rib Palace gave folks a treat. Then in October 1977, M&D's opened right here on 28th Street. So there's the story, straight from the heart, how M&D's got its famed start. This story is true, and we wish you well. So enjoy your meal and remember this swell tale!