2 minute read
Justin Epting draws on faith, family, & roots for Soul Food restaurant
Justin Epting (‘01) may have one of the toprated restaurants in the country, but he hasn’t forgotten where he came from. In fact, it’s his faith in God, his family and his roots that he credits for his current success.
“Glory be to God,” said Epting. “He’s been taking very good care of us.” Epting was recently featured by “Travel Noire,” a digital publishing platform that offers tips and resources for unconventional travelers.
His Bellevue-based business, Quick Bites Soul Food, was highlighted in the article, “50 Restaurants, 50 States: The Best Black-Owned Restaurants In America.” It was the only restaurant in Nebraska to make the list.
“I always knew I wanted to own a soul food restaurant,” said Epting. “Most of the stuff I learned about cooking came from my mom, Dot Epting.” Quick Bites wasn’t even on the radar when Justin graduated from North Platte High School in May of 1993. He joined the U.S. Navy a month later, but was forced into an early medical retirement in 1997 after being diagnosed with kidney disease. “At that point, I returned to North Platte,” Justin said. “I worked for the railroad for a while then started college at North Platte Community College. That’s where I really got my focus and started thinking about my future.”
He graduated from NPCC’s Emergency Medical Technician program in 2001 then transferred to the University of Nebraska Omaha to study nutritional science.
“My idea was to become a nutritionist, then go to med school and become a doctor,” said Justin. Plans changed when he had to have a kidney transplant and was unable to continue his studies. “I realized being a doctor wasn’t really what I wanted to do anyway,” Justin said. “So, I switched gears. I had been working at a restaurant while going to school and had been learning as much about the business as possible because whatever I’m doing, I want to be the best. Since I had a foot in the door, I decided to go back to my original dream and open my own restaurant.” The restaurant was ready by September of 2016. Business picked up quickly as word about Quick Bites spread. Soon, people from all over the state were coming through the doors to experience the catfish nuggets, cornbread, red beans and rice, collard greens, watermelon sweet tea and other delicacies offered.
His success has been a celebration for the whole family, but it’s quite possible that no one is prouder than his mom. “Quick Bites has been such a blessing for Justin,” Dot said. “It’s been a vision of his for so many years, and he’s worked so hard for it. He’s the perfect example of someone who got his start in his own backyard, and I hope others see that. It’s not ‘nothing’ out here in rural Nebraska. It’s ‘something’ - in some cases, a tipping point for a diamond in the rough.”
