10/03/2026
Hey y'all, it's Jesse. I've got some big news. As of this week, I am the proud owner of Babalu Overton Square and Babalu East Memphis.
My lifelong friend Jason Oattis and I have taken ownership from Spell Restaurant Group, and I couldn't be prouder.
I started out waiting tables in a Memphis restaurant, and now I get to call Babalu mine. I'm still pinching myself.
But I didn't get here alone, and I want to take a minute to thank the people who got me here.
To Rick and Christy: thank you for the last seven years. Thank you for trusting me, for teaching me, and for giving me the chance to take this next step. You aren't just the people I worked for. You're family to my family and me, and that will never change.
To Jason Oattis: brother, we've been through it all. Playing in bands as teenagers, chasing mountains out in Yellowstone, and decades of life since. There's nobody I'd rather have beside me for this. Thank you for believing in me, and thank you to Leslie and the whole Oattis crew for sharing him with Babalu. I couldn't do this without you.
To every Babalu team member who came before us and everyone who's with us now: you made Babalu what it is. Every shift, every guest, every bowl of guac made tableside. This belongs to all of you.
And to Moriah and our family: you're my why. We met at Huey's, and now look at us.
Memphis, thank you for loving this place. Come see us soon. We're just getting started. ❤️
