Highlighting Howard Co. Business
Serving up a hearty meal - Double L BBQ
Community built and community building is what Double L BBQ – a local catering food truck vendor – has been serving up to the community of Big Spring, Howard County and surrounding areas for the past few years.
Double L BBQ is a family owned, family operated business owned by Linda Burchett. She opened the business in April of 2011 as a way to not only do something she loves, but to do it with family. The food truck is not just a place to fill your belly, but an avenue that Burchett uses to fill the community needs.
“My family and I love to work together. My husband (Ponca), daughter Peaches and I make a great team. It helps that my grandkids even like to help here and there,” Burchett said.
At some point, if you have attended a local event – fairs, trade shows, fundraisers, holiday happenings – you have come across Double L’s big red trailer and possibly even tasted the different creations made by Burchett and her family.
While the menu changes from time to time, a few of the famous dishes served up by Double L are the Big Red pulled pork sandwiches, roasted corn, street tacos, loaded baked potatoes and stuffed avocados.
“Something that is dear to us is giving back. Being able to give back to our community is a big part of the driving force behind our business. Fundraisers that allow us to help support people and organizations are a big part of the events we take part in,” Burchett said.
Catering services have been called upon by schools, churches, businesses, even birthday parties. Double L has served up small events to big events across Howard County.while loyal customers have helped sustain and grow the business, as many other small businesses across the nation, Double L BBQ was hit hard by the pandemic. The sudden onset of the pandemic and restrictions issued by the Governor’s orders caused food vendors and businesses to reorganize their operations. Many area restaurants began to offer curbside service and delivery options to sustain and maintain a profit that would allow doors to stay open. Food trucks were no different, and Burchett and her family worked together to adjust in order to serve customers safely, which meant offering pick up and warm up options.
“Like everyone, the pandemic has hit our business hard. We have adapted and become creative in how we are offering our services,” Burchett said.
With the holidays approaching, Douvble L has once again altered services to include some holiday treats and special services. In addition the custom meals and catering, those looking for a sweet treat or unique gifts can turn to Double L. For the holidays sweet treat candy boxes have been added. Those looking to serve up a brisket or ham for the family meal, but are in need of assistance to pull the meal together can also reach out to Double L BBQ for help with smoking the main course meats beginning on Dec. 16.
“This community has been great at supporting our small business thus far. It has been through the support we have received that we have been able to volunteer as much as we have been asked to,” Burchett said.
In addition to the regular menu, adaptations can be made upon special request. There have been times when catering events required kosher
brisket, or were simply requesting unique creations and Burchett and her family were able to meet those orders.
“We have learned over the years to adjust to the needs of our customers. When we started we had a smoker and pop up, and that’s how we operated up until two years ago,” she said. “While we may be a small business, we are a family and there isn’t much we can’t accomplish.”
She continued, “Through this small business we are supporting two families. We love what we do and we love to give back as much as we can.”
As the pandemic continues and businesses and
families across Big Spring, across Texas and across the nation continue to trudge through day by day, Burchett encourages the community to take the opportunity when given and support a small business.
“Supporting small businesses when you can means you are supporting local families and allowing them the opportunity to pay it forward and support another local business.”
In addition to food truck services at local fairs, entertainment events and fundraisers, catering services as a large portion of the business drawn in. In addition to preparing meals, Double L BBQ also offers decorating, serving and clean up services for catering events. The adaptation to customer requests has been the foundation for growth for
Burchett’s food truck and small business. While she can attest that it may not be easy to start up a small business, it is possible and worth it.
“The best advice I can give to anyone who is thinking about starting a business is to take the leap. Start small and gradually build when you can,” she said. “The size of your business doesn’t equal quality.”
To find out more information or to request services from Double L BBQ, follow Double L on Facebook or send an e-mail to dominolinda@suddenlink.net or text 432-816-9381.