Episode 267: Downtown Huntsville’s Scratch-Made Trio: Inside The Standard, Del Chuco, and The Local

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark Dunn sits down with Chef James Brown (The Standard), Ben Brennan (Del Chuco), and Luke Hawk (The Local)—three key leaders behind Huntsville’s Mercado Group. They share how their paths first crossed in Huntsville kitchens years ago, what it’s been like building three distinct downtown concepts in rapid succession, and why making nearly everything from scratch is non-negotiable. You’ll hear stories from opening weekend chaos, how the teams collaborate across restaurants, and what goes into evolving menus when the crowd doesn’t “get it” right away. Plus, they unpack Del Chuco’s Underground vibe, the catering arm of the group, and tease what might be coming next in 2026.

https://themercadogrouphsv.com