SEATTLE — The one thing to know before visiting the latest pop-up of C. Davis Texas Barbecue is to show up early.
"I don't even open to until 5, but they always show up early because they know I sell out so quick, said chef Charles Davis. "Anywhere between 1,400 pounds and 2,000 pounds of meat in three hours."
Davis drives his mobile meat smoking rig and opens barbecue pop-ups that customers can't get enough of.
"It's the product, the meat, and the love that he puts into it," said Shevette Floyd from C. Davis Texas Barbecue.
Meats like the pecan smoke tri tip, brisket, pulled pork. And the number one seller — the candy pecan honey beef ribs.
"I'm here because this is the best barbecue. I got the beef ribs, the tri tip, the macaroni and cheese and the greens," said one customer.
"This food is the bomb and it's good," said another customer.
You just need to look at the size of the line to tell how good this barbecue really is — and it's only getting bigger.
"The more and more people came, and the lines got longer and longer," Davis said. "A light bolt just went off like, 'Man, I got a good product.'"
Davis' secret to making good barbecue is remarkably simple.
"[It takes] Time and being patient, it takes hours to do," he said.
For Davis, it is more than just a good meal. It's about supporting the community.
"I grew up super poor; I remember being hungry and needing food," he said. "If you can't afford it, just come up and pull me to the side. I want to make sure you are fed because I know what it's like to be without food."
It's that kind of care for his community that got C. Davis Texas Barbecue voted to be the Best Barbecue spot in Best of Western Washington 2024.
"Oh, thank you bro. You guys got me good, man," Davis said as he received the plaque.
But how long is Davis going to keep these pop ups going?
"Until I cant walk anymore," he said.
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