Cooking Up Conversation: Celebrating with Ohio Crawford of Backyard on Broadway and Dibs Mixers

Name: Ohio Crawford

Job: Backyard on Broadway co-owner, Dibs Mixers founder

Big Impact: Air Force veteran Ohio Crawford has quietly put his stamp on San Antonio, sprucing up Backyard on Broadway into the family-friendly space it is today and hawking Dibs Mixers, his own brand of cocktail syrups now used by multiple area bars.

Money Quote: “Find your niche. For my syrups, I make flavors that no one else makes — filling a gap in the market. Always identify the need, and make sure the market isn’t oversaturated. As the saying goes, necessity is the father of invention.”

How did you first get into the food industry?
About 10 years ago at the Olive Garden. When I moved to San Antonio in 2017, I worked for Jason Dady. That’s where I got to see the private side of restaurant operations. Almost immediately after Range opened, I moved into the catering and sales department. That shift from employee to leader helped me understand so many different aspects of food and beverage.

You also served in the military. How has that influenced your work?
I spent three years in the Air Force as an EOD tech. It was very technical and operational, which taught me to manage both people and high-pressure situations. In restaurants, if there are 2,000 people out, you have to manage staff and guests at the same time. That skill came directly from the military.

How did you get involved with Backyard on Broadway?
In 2020, I was consulting — taking my corporate restaurant background to help local businesses become more efficient. That’s how I met my current business partner, who needed help making Backyard on Broadway profitable. He gave me free rein to make changes.

What were your first changes?
The first thing was the staff and culture — putting rules in place and building accountability. Then I worked on drink consistency and upgrading the food from frozen to in-house. Pretty soon, we saw the rowdy crowd fade and more families come in. By 2023, we had a playground, picnic tables, outdoor lighting — more of a friendly environment. And we commissioned a mural by Chris Ramos, which ties in what millennials grew up watching and what kids watch today.

Let’s talk about Dibs. How did that come about?
Dibs officially started Halloween 2023, but it was about a year in the making. I began making syrups in 2021 for restaurants and bars across San Antonio because I was noticing inconsistency in mixers from larger brands. I thought I could help my friends at other restaurants with the syrups I was making, and the side project evolved into a full-fledged brand.

Favorite place to grab a bite in SA?
Mon Thai Bistro. They’ve been around for a long time, they’re consistent and they have amazing sushi.

If you could go back and give yourself advice at the start of your career, what would it be?
Honestly, I’m happy with where I’m at. The only thing I wish I’d done more of was read frequently!

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This article appears in Aug 21 – Sep 2, 2025.