Today we’d like to introduce you to Casandra Armijo.
Hi Casandra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been surrounded by family who loves to cook. My father has owned a successful restaurant for over 25 years, and that passion naturally became a part of who I am. Inspired by that upbringing, I enrolled in culinary school at the Le Cordon Bleu in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania nearly 20 years ago.
After working in catering for a few years, I took time off to raise my children. In 2020, I started a small catering business focused on grazing tables and charcuterie boards, which quickly gained popularity. During COVID, people loved the convenience of having beautifully curated boards delivered to their homes when dining out wasn’t an option.
About four years ago, I met my husband, who is a talented self-taught pitmaster. Our shared passion for food brought us together, and we began creating our own sauces and seasonings—many of which are now featured throughout our menu today.
Last year, we were given the opportunity to open a small restaurant inside a self-pour tap room in Avon Park, known as the “City of Charm.” With so much growth happening along Main Street, we knew we wanted to be part of that momentum. More importantly, we wanted to create something special for our community—a place where families could gather, relax, and enjoy great food together. Our space is intentionally family-friendly, with board games for kids and activities like giant checkers to make it fun for all ages.
Our menu is a reflection of our journey and creativity. We specialize in artisan pizza and BBQ, combining traditional techniques with bold, unique flavors. Our pizza features an authentic Italian-style pinsa crust, topped with a high-quality coastal blend mozzarella from Wisconsin. Our BBQ is smoked fresh daily and seasoned with our signature Barley’s blend.
We also offer a variety of fun, shareable appetizers that appeal to everyone—including local favorites like our Spam Fries.
The heart of our brand is deeply personal. We named our restaurant after our beloved American Bully, Barley, and every item on our menu is named after a family or personal pet, past or present. It’s our way of honoring the things we love most—family, food, and the memories that bring people together.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
For the most part, our challenges have been minimal. Our restaurant is located inside the historic Brickell Building, originally built in 1921, which added a unique layer to the process. Since both the tap room and restaurant were built out from the studs, there were a few construction delays along the way—but nothing outside of what you’d expect with a project of that scale.
Overall, it’s been a very rewarding experience, and seeing the space come to life has made it all worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Barley’s Hideaway is a family-friendly, community-driven restaurant built around great food, good energy, and a place where everyone feels welcome. We specialize in handcrafted pizzas, smoked wings, and creative comfort food with a BBQ twist—bringing bold flavors you don’t typically find all in one place.
What really sets us apart is the experience. We’re not just a place to grab a meal—we’re a local hangout. Whether it’s families coming in for Kids Eat Free Tuesdays, friends meeting up for trivia night, or guests stopping in before or after visiting our neighboring self-pour concept, we’ve created an environment that feels relaxed, fun, and intentional.
We’re known for our unique menu items like our specialty pizzas, house-made sauces, smoked wings, and fan favorites like our garlic cheese bread and pickle bombs. We’re always experimenting, always listening to our customers, and always finding ways to bring something new to the table.
Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is the identity we’ve built around “Barley.” Our dog mascot represents who we are—loyal, welcoming, a little playful, and rooted in comfort. That personality carries through everything we do, from our rustic, warm branding to the way we interact with our guests. It’s approachable, memorable, and something people genuinely connect with.
At the end of the day, we want people to know that Barley’s Hideaway is more than just a restaurant—it’s a place to unwind, connect, and enjoy quality food without pretense. We’re proud to be part of the community and are committed to growing in a way that keeps that hometown feel at the center of everything we do.
How do you define success?
Success, to me, is creating something that people genuinely connect with. It’s seeing families come in, enjoy a meal, and leave happier than when they arrived. It means building something our children can be proud of—something rooted in hard work, passion, and community. t’s building a business that not only grows, but also becomes a meaningful part of the community. If we can provide great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and create lasting memories for our guests while supporting our team and our family—that’s success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://barleyshideaway.toast.site/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CUjQy8ewd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
