Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Armstrong.
Chris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2017 I was in the process of building a big smoker for parties. All of my friends knew I loved to cook. A very good friend of mine recommended bringing the grill to his local barbershop. Little did we know this was only the beginning. We were invited to compete in a local BBQ cook-off. To compete you had to cook 3 different types of meat (Pulled Pork, Chicken, & Ribs).
When I arrived and saw all the teams and said wow well it’s just me, my truck, and the cooker. After a long hot day, the night begins to come to a close and the winners are announced. 1st place in ribs we have Big Bad Bob’s BBQ! It was unreal to hear your name called on that loudspeaker. Then we get to the overall winner announcement, thinking there is no way we won this too.
Your overall winner in the 2019 Cook-off is… drumroll. Big Bad Bob’s BBQ! Wow, I could have just passed out right there. Did not even have the words at the time. As time went by and began to sink in the once dream of cooking BBQ for a living is slowly becoming reality. People were calling from all over to order to give it a try after this. Keep in mind I have a full-time job and my wife is working as well.
After browsing the Facebook marketplace I laid eyes on a BBQ trailer about 45 minutes away. I said to myself no way I can get this, but a little bird on my shoulder kept saying go for it. Well, later that week I messaged the owner very late at night that I would like to see his trailer. At 6 am he responded with the location he will be cooking. As the hours went by and pondering before I had to pick my wife up from work. I told myself that we got to check this out.
When she jumped in the truck I said we got to go look at this trailer before he leaves. We hit the road and just made it before he left. After some negotiations, the trailer was headed home with us a few days later. We get the trailer certified in 2020 and what do you know we got nominated for the Best BBQ in Sumter 2021. A month of voting goes by and what do you know WE WON! This experience seemed so unreal.
Now, business is really growing and in July 2021 my wife would leave her job and I would follow with the scariest jump of my life. We were once again nominated for Best BBQ and Best Food Truck in Sumter for 2022. Once again, Big Bad Bob’s BBQ also known as (Triple B’s) won both categories. We have now been full-time for 8 months with our restaurant opening very soon.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
At first, it was going smooth, but with the delays in obtaining, material at times our restaurant that was going to open in February 2022 is now looking like October of 2022.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We have won the Best BBQ in Sumter 2021/2022. Also, we have won Best Food Truck in Sumter for 2022. What sets us apart from the lock BBQ business is we specialize in wood-cooked BBQ. We are really known for our Brisket. We love to take our smoked meats and create unique dishes. We are a local small BBQ business with a big vision and hope to bring our unique style to a city near you.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Most importantly my WIFE who has had my back this entire dream into reality. My parents, brother, rest of my family, and friends have supported and encouraged us with ideas, watching our young children, and lending hands to help get our restaurant ready.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Big_Bad_Bobs_BBQ
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/BigBadBobsBBQ/
