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Big Texas BBQ ready for summer season with new location (17 photos)

Owner Ricky Brooks was forced to get creative last year after all food festivals were cancelled due to the pandemic

Just one more sleep until patio season begins for Ontario, and Bradford's Ricky Brooks is more than ready at Big Texas BBQ, located on Highway 11 on the border of King and Bradford. 

Because of COVID and cancelled festivals, he had to get creative and find other ways to operate his food truck business. 

Last spring, he started off in the parking lot of China Garden on Holland Street West, before moving to 121 Bridge Street later in the fall. 

This is the restaurant's third location, having opened just a few weeks ago. 

"We needed more space," he explained. "They say it's all about location, location, location, and it's a great location for us."

The area is large enough for him to have more food trucks, rows of picnic tables, and a large stage for local entertainment.

He says business has been good so far, with many drive-by customers coming to stop in for a bite to eat. 

"We're looking forward to allowing a lot more people to come in and enjoy our BBQ in a Ribfest style setting," he said. 

He is currently running a limited menu until the patio opens on Friday. 

Throughout fall and winter, he was offering limited menu options, but his specialty items will be coming back on Friday like the Twisted Potatoe, the Footlong Hotdog, grilled cheese sandwiches, milkshakes, and funnel cakes. 

"A lot of the fun festival stuff we would do in the summer is coming back," he said. 

One of his most popular dishes includes the Beef Dino Ribs. 

"The flavour's just to die for," he said. 

Other favourites include the Beef Brisket and Pork Ribs. 

The meat is cooked fresh and never frozen, and he often sells out before closing. 

"It's a good problem to have," he said. "We put all of our meat in early in the morning, a certain amount to get us through the day and then close up once we sell our meat."

There will be featured entertainment all summer long. The 50-foot stage will allow local artists to showcase their talent. 

"It's just going to make for a better experience," he said, noting not just musicians but local dance groups will also be performing. "It will give their students the opportunity to do what they love doing, performing arts."

He will also be featuring a drive-in movie night for 40-50 cars. 

Brooks has always had a passion for barbecuing. It all started in 2013 when he hosted a street BBQ for over 100 neighbours.

"It sparked up the idea to maybe bring a big BBQ event to Bradford," he said. From there, he went on to organize the Bradford Ribfests, which used to take place on the then-undeveloped land in front of Zehrs.

At the time, he wasn't barbecuing but bringing vendors and entertainment together to put on the festival. In 2018, he got his own food and dessert truck and travelled across Ontario to attend various food festivals. 

He is excited to be able to offer a festival-like experience to the people of Bradford this summer and is hoping to have his liquor license in time for the Canada Day weekend. 

To check out the menu, visit their website here.


Natasha Philpott

About the Author: Natasha Philpott

Natasha is the Editor for BradfordToday and InnisfilToday. She graduated from the Media Studies program at The University of Guelph-Humber. She lives in Bradford with her husband, two boys and two cats.
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