02/03/2026
After looking at my bill this week, I can see exactly why so many folks in the BBQ world are closing their doors.
$8,600 in food cost alone… for a 4-day work week, only being open 3–4 hours a day for lunch. That doesn’t include labor. Doesn’t include overhead. Doesn’t include the hours before sunrise and long after close.
This is a wild time to be in the food service industry—BBQ especially.
We’re in a small town. We only serve lunch. And while it might look like we’re “busy” or “killing it,” the truth is a lot different behind the scenes. Many of us only make money 3–4 hours out of a 24-hour day.
If you’ve ever wondered why pitmasters grind so hard for that Top 50 list…
Why we depend so heavily on travelers stopping through…
Why we show up every day no matter how tired, sore, or beat down we are…
This is your sign.
If there’s ever been a time to support your local BBQ joint, it’s right now.
Because I promise you—no matter how long the line looks, or how packed the place feels—we’re not raking it in. We’re just fighting to keep the fire lit and the doors open.
And we’re grateful for every single person who chooses to show up.
