Carolyn DiPaoloDerrick McCray is teaming with another well-known restaurateur, Rodney Mayo
June 21, 2025, update. ByJoeCapozzi.com reports Derrick McCray is about to open his barbecue restaurant in Lake Worth Beach. Read the story here.
Two longtime Palm Beach County restaurateurs are joining forces to sustain a 90-year-old family tradition.
What’s happening: Derrick McCray, owner of McCray’s Backyard Bar-B-Q, told Stet News he is working with restaurant owner Rodney Mayo to open a location in West Palm Beach.
McCray operated the popular barbecue on 45th Street in Mangonia Park until March.
He reached out to Mayo, who he considers a mentor, to help re-establish McCray’s.
Mayo’s Subculture Group operates bars and restaurants including Kapow, Howley’s and Respectable Street in West Palm Beach, Dada in Delray Beach and five Subculture coffee shops.
What he said: About Mayo, “I love his eclectic vibe, and I am in awe of his long history of success,” said McCray, whose family has been in the barbecue business since 1934. “I am confident we will make a perfect match.”
Mayo confirmed the men are planning to rebuild the business starting with a food truck on property Subculture recently bought at Roseland Drive and Henry Avenue.
It is just a few blocks north of The Peach, Mayo’s art collective on Georgia Avenue south of the Southern Boulevard overpass.
Of note: McCray’s has helped cater 18 Super Bowls.
The goal is to open in June, the 90th anniversary month of the founding of the McCray family business.
“I would like to see him get to 100 years,” Mayo said.
You’re reading a story from Stet News Palm Beach.
I am a co-founder, writer and editor for Stet News. I am also a former senior editor at The Palm Beach Post. For 20 years, I oversaw some of the most consequential stories published by the paper, including the “Corruption County” reporting project that led to multiple arrests of elected officials. I am a member of the Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2013. I live in West Palm Beach with my husband, Bill DiPaolo.
