Project BBQ | Our Story
Texas roots, Tennessee soul
Project BBQ is a family story that started in Austin and found its home in Johnson City, Tennessee. We built it from the ground up — a 600-gallon smoker, a food trailer, and a whole lot of belief.
How it all started
After college in Austin, Alex fell hard for craft BBQ and convinced his dad Ron and brother-in-law Steve Talarico to join him. In March 2021 they drove a 600-gallon smoker to Johnson City, set up in a parking lot, and opened for business.
From parking lot to permanent home
One week in, the demand made clear a trailer wasn't enough. In March 2022, Project BBQ opened as a brick-and-mortar on the site of the former Dixie BarBQue — with a 1,000-gallon smoker and a crew that felt like family.
No propane. No gas. Just hardwood.
Every piece of meat is cooked entirely over hardwood — no propane, no gas, no shortcuts. It takes more time and more attention, but that's exactly the point.
The smoke ring doesn't lie
That dark bark and deep smoke ring aren't accidents — they're hours of patience and a genuine obsession with getting it right, every single cook.
A dream that keeps growing
Two locations on North and South Roan Street, plus a permanent food truck at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The world needs more BBQ — and we're not done yet.
