Ivor “Tommy” Thomas served 20 years in the Marine Corp and retired in 1971. With wife Georgine at his side, they moved to Valley Center, and in 1981 purchased Zuke’s Pizza located at the present sight of Fat Ivor’s. After unsuccessful attempt at the perfect pizza, Tommy decided to change the menu to Texas style BBQ. Tommy being a heavy set man and blessed with rather odd name decided to call his venture “Fat Ivor’s Rib Rack”. He always lived by his motto.
It didn’t take long for Tommy’s dream to take off. Offering all you can eat oak-smoked beef ribs for $5.99, the restaurant was never empty again. He soon had to expand the menu to include NY Chicken and Prime cuts of beef to meet the needs of his growing clientele.
Fat Ivor’s success was shared by the youth of Valley Center as well as the V.C. Optimist Club. Tommy never turned down a local kid needing a few extra bucks to get through a semester of school or season of sports.
Tommy passed away in December 2002 after 21 years of turning out the best BBQ in Southern California. The following February, the restaurant burned to the ground leaving Georgine with a decision to rebuild or enjoy early retirement. After much coaxing from the community, she decided to bring the Fat Ivor’s back to life. During the 2 years and 11 days it took to rebuild, Georgine and her investors resurrected the BBQed phoenix.