The Adventure Continues: Welcome to PaulsRibShackBarbecue.com

[Frozen Smoke]

I have not read this entire thread but congratulations to you for building a business from the ground up. Probably one of the hardest things to do. Takes complete dedication and commitment. Working for yourself doing what you love is something that only someone who has done it can truly understand and appreciate. It's long hours and something needs to be done 7 days a week.
The wife has been self employed for over 20 years running a distribution business. I joined her about 5 years ago after I retired from my corporate job which I came to hate by the end. Now we are about to sell off about 60% of our business and I will pretty much retire and she will work what is left of the business.

When you're self employed the business is in your face 24/7. You're always doing something with the business if you're not there is something you should be doing.
Not everyone can do this. It takes an extraordinary amount of self motivation and discipline. You give up many personal things to operate a successful business. Congratulations to you Paul for exemplifying the American dream!

[PaulstheRibList]

It takes dedication and some spunk (and skill) to make a living as an entrepreneur. Congrats on your adventures and thanks for the encouragement!

[Danjohnston949]

PaulstheRibList, Ya'll Done Said a Mouthful There, Paul‼️ My Suggestion Is Buy a Good Set of Braces (Suspenders) to Keep Your Britches Up❗️ While You Work Your A-- Off‼️ Have a Ball❗️ Dan

[PaulstheRibList]

I wanted to smoke #WhoDatRibs twice more this season!!! Oh well. #GoPatriots

#LifeIsMoreFunOntheRibList

[Spinaker]

I am with you! Go Pats! PaulstheRibList

[Spinaker]

Actually, #GoRiblist #Getontheriblist

[PaulstheRibList]

Why? Because #LifeIsMoreFunOntheRibList #AndInthePit

[Spinaker]

Well....that and your BBQ is guaranteed to be good. The SB? Not so much. PaulstheRibList

[PaulstheRibList]

Life is full here at @PaulsRibShack! Hired a second full time guy and a part time. We are vending 1-3 times a week and turning on the juice for doing more catering.

In in the middle of this, enters friendship stuff. Last year, a great friend asked me to bring the rig to Ft Lauderdale, FL to make a big deal at his trade show. We are both in the laundry business. I really like my friend Todd and want to show some extravagant love on him, same as God shows it on me. So, we committed to doing it! He parlayed our barbecue fun to get even more heavy hitters from around the country to come to his show.

My pit is heavy and bends the back of my trailer. So I had to fab a system to roll the pit forward to put more weight on the axles when we go very far. It was a good bit of work to do all that prep. But it’s done now and we can trailer all over! Didn’t take many pics of the new fab yet, but ther is one with my brother bringing the backplate I a new d-ring we put in to tie down the cooker I exchanged the foxes legs for steel wheels and we put in a galvanized c channel fun stuff but work!!


Todd flew in early, got to see my stores and family, share a Cajun meal, and help me with the fab work and load in.

It’s a 17 hour drive, so we took a day and a half. I borrowed my brothers diesel 2500. My gasser pulls it, but it’s simpler and better fuel economy with the diesel!!



The signature event was noon Thursday, so we pulled out alll the stops: Beef Ribs were the star of the show! Here is Todd with a Bone-In Beef Short Rib plate! He helped rub some of them

Aren’t the short ribs so pretty!!!

We cut them into medallions, made a crumble and served it over the Mac for the getting-started part!


We’re in the Laundry business, so I used a Dryer door for my appetizer serving tray! It was quite heavy after 30 minuets!

But, as you all know, the smiles make all the hard work worth it!

[Danjohnston949]

PaulstheRibList, Paul You Will Never Regret the Improvements on Your Trailor❗️ That's A Good Look'n Crew You Have, 'Cept For the Long
Haired One❓ 🤗😇🤗
From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan

[PaulstheRibList]

Thanks Dan! You are right about the trailer mods. I let these new needs spur me on to doing those type of improvements

[PaulstheRibList]

My friend gave me Washboard Award, for Best BBQ in the laundry industry...also the only Barbecue in the industry, lol


we served lunch, which was Beef Rib filet cuts, turkey, who dat pork ribs, smoked beans, 5-Cheese Mac and slaw!i love this pic of me at the cutting board with a beautiful beef rib!


here is a tray of beef rib filets all cut up and ready for leftovers that night

And a brisket, bark done and about to go in the paper for finishing


Oh, and the Instagram worthy Edison back porch lights!!!

and the smiles at the after party

The ride to and from the house we stayed in and the shop had a few little boats in view...

and we’ll close up this post with the star: Beef Rib Plates!!


Ft. Lauderdale was fun! And tiring!
That't the price I'm willing to pay for friends!
#GetOntheRibList

[Nate]

When I grow up I want to work for you!

[Butchman]

Looks like you’re having a blast! Keep on smokin!

[PaulstheRibList]

Nate Love it!
Thanks Butchman !

[Pirate Scott]

Awesome!

[DWCowles]

I said once or twice and I will continue saying it "Yo Da Man"

[PaulstheRibList]

Oh, dude, thank you!!

[Mudkat]

What a show you have going on here in this thread!

[PaulstheRibList]

Thanks Mudkat!

[BigCountryQ]

I really like reading this stuff about your adventures PaulstheRibList ! It's always been a dream of mine to do what you're doing. I'm just not a big risk taker. It's hard to walk away from a desk job paying so well, but I find myself missing putting smiles on peoples faces.I'm still young, so maybe I'll muster up the courage in the near future! Keep on keepin' on man!

[PaulstheRibList]

Dude, have fun and take some good, measured steps!

[DeusDingo]

those beef ribs are crazy. i'm so hungry right now!

[PaulstheRibList]

#BeholdthePowerofBeefRibs

[RonB]

This is a great thread Paul. I am very happy you keep adding to it. Please keep it up.

[PaulstheRibList]

Thanks RonB It's fun to share the journey with all you cool people!

[PaulstheRibList]

Well, it's time for an update, don't you think?

I'm not sure if I've shared this picture before or not. In any event, the more I burn logs to cook barbecue, the more I love it! The flavor. The cool factor. The art. The hard work. The intoxicating smell when people drive by or walk up the trailer. I'm #StickburnerForever #HardHardWork


Oh, the Turkey Revolution! I take home turkey to eat more than anything else! We sell out of brisket nearly every time. And the turkey is just so easy to eat at home. And it's super great!

Crew Members.
My #1 man is Sam. He's super great! Here is Sam's roommate, and our 2nd oldest crew member, Colin, in the middle. He has a full time job as a Band Director. But in the summertime and some weekends...we get him! He's great! He's doing a Pastrami this week. #PitmasterColin
Ross is on the right. He's been with me for about 8 months. Very capable and talented.
Andrew is on the left. College student. Been with us 3 weeks and is doing GREAT!


For the last 3 months, we've been vending on Friday's for lunch at the same spot. Sometimes Thursday. It's pretty cool. This was a busy day, including our law enforcement friends. On the left is a delivery person from WaitrApp, a very cool food delivery service we launched a month ago.


Here is Sam, our lead Pitmaster and my #1 man. I would not have done the Food Truck without him. We had a really big 2 weeks, and we borrowed a commercial kitchen to cook Mac and trim a bunch of briskets. I bought Sam some more knives (Global and Shun) to play with. This is about half of the 25 or so briskets he trimmed in a couple of afternoons. All CAB Prime #SoGood

I don't think I took any pictures, but we cooked 26 pan's of our mac in that same afternoon. Mac is a TON of work. $26 in ingredients, plus 1.2 hours of labor per pan, and that's after I bought a continuous feed grater and other tools, and we used the bigger kitchen. You can se the finished pans of Mac in the background. My kids are the primary Mac chefs.


Beans Beans Beans!


Catering Gigs.
I'm learning the Vending is great...for getting you a following. But to make a living, Catering is Big Winner. We did a 500 person gig for a church last Saturday. It went GREAT! Food was great, guests were super happy. Beautiful all around. Pulled Pork, Turkey, Beans, Mac and Slaw. Chicken Legs, Hot Dogs and Mac for Kids. Beautiful wooded park. Oh Yes!! The church is planting a campus in an adjoining city, and this was a great outreach event for them.

Food Fun.
Off Menu items are what we create after the big rush is over on big gigs. Say hello to the BeanMacDog.


July 4th! Ok, this is not a Barbecue picture... I've started an ArtAtTheLaundry initative at my coin laundries. Our 1st piece is the glass art on the right side of this. 2nd Piece we debuted on July 4th: Washington Crossing the Delaware, Christmas Day 1776. #GodBlessAmerica


The city has a big fireworks and music festival on July 4th. They emailed me asking me to come, and I sort of ignored the emails. I just expect city things to be so bureaucratic. I was really busy anyway, but the very nice coordinator lady called, and said they really wanted us, because we do a good job and follow through, and folks really like our food. I'm actually meeting with our Mayor, who is a successful restaurant owner, this week to get some ideas about where to open my restaurant. We sold out on July 4th!

[PBCDad]

My theory is that Spinaker and Sam are the same person...
Awesome post as always

[PaulstheRibList]

@PCBDad I'm just using these pics to recruit Spinaker to move down to God's Country and be neighbors with me and Huskee

[Spinaker]

Hahahaha, could be a long lost brother........it waaaay to hot for this Minnesotan down there. Well maybe not in the winter........ PBCDad PaulstheRibList

[treesmacker]

Please bring this gorgeous food truck trailer and all it has to offer to Grants Pass Oregon - you'll love it here!

[treesmacker]

The Logo is right on!

[treesmacker]

Yep, this thread is great - Congrats on such a great beginning!