Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Davis.
Hi Kay , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Big D’s BBQ has been in business for over 50 years! In 1973 when Big Ds opened in Surfside, Russell Davis was just 12 years old. His job was opening the drinks and cleaning up. He had no idea then that he would still be serving up BBQ today. Our BBQ journey began with our initial location in Surfside, followed by a relocation to Waccamaw. When we opened up the Conway location, I decided to come into the business. We are pleased that our final home is now located in Conway.
Over the years, God has blessed us with wonderful customers, many of whom now feel like family. Russell and I have had the privilege of watching some of you grow up, get married, have children and even a few grandchildren; thankfully, you are teaching them to love Big D’s food too! Also, we are extremely lucky to have new customers coming in often to try us and tell us as they are leaving that they will be back and will bring friends.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course not, as with any business you have the good and the bad, but the Lord has seen us thru. When we moved to the Waccamaw location the Pottery was open and doing great, which helped us out. The Pottery closing of course hurt business, but we still do good and then the road closing/restructuring of 501 really took a toll on all of the businesses that we are still there. We had developed a loyal local following which continued to support us, and we were able to sustain. We opened up the Conway location in 2013. as a second one and then in 2015 the Waccamaw location was destroyed by arson, which really took a toll on the family. As Russells mother Marceline Davis had been working the business since it opened, and she would still go in and work up until that day, she was 82 years old and would drive from Hemingway to the beach almost daily just to be there. After the fire, she would still go up there and just sit in the lot on some days. It was not long after that she became ill and passed away. People that have never experienced something like this cannot understand, I am sure; it is just like a family member passed away when that business was burnt. Unlike some others that have lost businesses we were lucky enough to have had a second location to keep us going. The Conway location just like the other two has been blessed with a loyal local following.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are known for our BBQ and country cooking. We have been using the same recipe for our BBQ since the beginning. Our buffet has a variety of county cooking that we cook the same way our grandparents did at home: with all the seasoning. I would have to be most proud of the fact that our customers have been eating with us for years. Some of them can remember going to the first location in Surfside to eat. When you have families that support you and love to eat with you from the youngest to the oldest, I think that says a lot. I think we are set apart because of how we try to make our customers feel as if they are family and a lot of them become friends. We want everyone to feel welcome when they come here.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
That without our belief and trust in God none of this would have happened. Our faith in God has seen us through this business every step of the way, the good and especially the bad. When they opened up the first location, it was on a step of faith, and it has been that way since. We have a sign up that says, (I remember the days I prayed for things I have now.) That could not be truer.
Pricing:
- Lunch Buffet 13.50
- Dinner Buffet 17.50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Bigdsbbqtrough.com
