BBQ from the Heart

On this day, the rain was misty, and the air was humid. Cars were lined up alongside the road like a family backyard cookout. The smell of smoked meat hit me before I even stepped out of the car.

They were only allowing five people into the small building at a time. You were advised to wait in your car, and your food would be brought directly to you.

It was finally my turn to go inside. The smell of Mac and Cheese, sweet cornbread, and the burnt edges of the rib tip was absolutely intoxicating. It was busy but organized. Fulfilled orders were lineup neatly on a long table awaiting delivery. I was next in line. The cashier that took the orders/payments must've made an error with the customer in front of me. A man came from behind and?shadowed over the young man like a bear awaiting his prey!?I remember thinking, oh boy...he's about to get yelled at or fired! Instead, he responded, "that's ok, we'll get it?right brother!" I said to myself, that has got to be "Big Bull!" He approached me and?the customer behind me to asked for our names and the description of our vehicle.?He glanced at the orders and informed us that our orders were not quite ready and that it would be brought out shortly.?Another 5 minutes passed, and a woman knocked on my window and ask for my name, I responded "Sharell." She said, "I thought I was pronouncing it wrong!" We laughed and she thanked me for my purchased. I couldn't see her smile due to the face mask, but I felt her energy and kind spirit. I said to myself, that must be his wife, "Mama Bull!" It was official, I had my first feature!

?When I created "Meet me in the Kitchen," the goal?was to not only?find great?food, but to also find great stories. I wanted to meet the makers behind the food. I wanted to catch the?vibe of their cooking and inspirations as to why they do what they do. We cannot spotlight black culture without spotlighting our food. We cannot say “black excellence” without saying “It was because of this recipe, I….” ?African American Southern Cuisine is one of the most sought out and popularize style of cooking in the world; And we cannot talk about Black Southern Cuisine with talking about BBQ! ?Big Bull’s Bang’n BBQ and Comfort Food is first on my list!

?The world was knee deep in a Pandemic when I discovered some of the best BBQ I ever had!

?The government just mandated a "Stay at home order." Stores were closing, restaurants were shutting down, and companies were sending their employees to work from home. Big chain stores were struggling to keep tissue and sanitizing products on the shelves; people were selling a single?roll of tissue for $5 and Lysol products for $20 online!?It was a new wave of chaos that was just unfamiliar to world. But somehow, in the?mist of the mess, I had?a strong craving?for BBQ and some homemade Mac and Cheese or Potato Salad! Not just any BBQ, I'm talking about that down home BBQ. I'm talking about that smoked meat that your mama done seasoned last night, and?your?uncle Bubba slaps on the grill at the family reunion while drinking an ice-cold beer. I'm talking about that homemade potato salad that everyone requests?from Aunt Baby Mae for each family function!??I wanted it bad!

I'm still fairly new to the Columbia area, so knowing where to go to get that taste was a challenge. Then, I remembered, on?my regular commute for work, I would drive by this red barnlike building with a?sign out front that reads "Big Bulls Bang'n BBQ and Comfort Food!" During this time, it was delivery only, so I quickly placed an order for delivery! When I heard the knock on the door, I hopped up like a kid who just saw their favorite cartoon character in real life! I remember repeating to myself, please be what I want, please be what I want!" And MANNN it was exactly?what I wanted and more!!!

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??It all began when Big Bull started selling BBQ sandwiches to his co-workers in 2013. “It’s a funny story, I actually started selling BBQ sandwiches to my coworkers, and would sell out every time,” Bull said with a humbled smile. “We knew we had something special, so I wanted to act quick,” said Bull, referring to he and his wife, “Mama Bull.” ?They wanted to go a little further when they were given permission to sell plates in front of their current location; BBQ and HOT FISH…what an undeniable combination!

“When we decided to open this place, we had no money! When I say, no money, I mean NO MONEY,” Bull said, when I asked about the transition from selling plates to owning a restaurant. He explained that the place was completely empty and everything that they have was GOD…period. “So, when I think about what we had, compared to what we have now is a blessing.”

Along with most of the world, when the pandemic hit, it hit the food industry hard. Restaurant owners, caterers, and food workers alike, were walking around in the dark, trying to think of their next move. Because of the lock down, delivery services tripled, and the mark was hit. “Honestly, during this pandemic, my business went through the roof! We offer delivery through online delivery services and people can now order directly off our app,” said Bull when asked about how the pandemic affected the business. ?“People often asked will I open back up to eating inside? My response to that would be, why fix what ain’t broken!”

?What’s next for Big Bull?

“Well, I will say this, take it slow. If you find that sweet spot, and business is going well, take care of that first,” Bull replied when asked about the future of Big Bull’s Bang’n BBQ and Comfort Food. “So, to answer your question,” Bull said, “wherever God desire us to be, that’s where we will be!”

?When Big Bull was telling his story I wondered, such a humbled man must await on God’s direction for the next location, that big move to Big Bull to Bigger Bull. But when asked, his answered surprised me, but made me inspired, nonetheless. He said why try to go bigger with multiple locations but continue to perfect what you have and continue to serve a community that you love. I think I will forever remember that quote!

?As the business plan to move forward with the success of their new app, the launch of their new sauces coming soon, and so much more, Bull and his team remain passionate about their purpose. ?Bull showed us the real meaning behind the BBQ. And I don't know about you, but that's my type of BBQ!

-Chef Sharell J

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