Written by Ben Cox – Local food truck operator Chip Barker, known county-wide and beyond for his Chipster’s BBQ, is going to be making some changes his menu.
No, the beloved brisket and potato salad aren’t going anywhere. After 20 years in catering, and over four years operating full-time, Barker has whittled down his menu just a touch in order to offer the best service and selection he can, while still being able to provide the high quality of food for which he is well known.
“I believe in simplicity, we started out simple so we’re going back to simple.” After a cost analysis and some number crunching, Barker worked out the items that are the most cost effective and are the most popular.
Focusing more on the BBQ side of things, Barker says they “will be selling more by the pound” as well as offering other favorites like their stuffed baked potatoes and smoked turkey pasta salad. The daily Quesadilla special will be changed to a monthly offering, and hamburgers will now be available at select times as well.
“Our mainstay is BBQ. That’s where our mastery is. We specialize in brisket and ribs, and we hit them out of the park every time.”
Recognized locally for their outstanding BBQ, Chipster’s has plans that extend beyond their new trailer, sponsored graciously by Lee Hoffpauir. Nothing is concrete as of yet, and they certainly will not be abandoning the beautiful trailer anytime soon, but Barker is excited by the prospects that lay before him and what they could mean for his customers.
With all he has invested in his business Barker wants both his long time customers and those who are new fans of his food to know that “we’re not here today and gone tomorrow. We take this very seriously.”
Fresh, quality food is a passion for Barker. “I don’t use left over food the next day. Even if that causes me to go down in flames, I’m not going to sell 2 day brisket. We don’t take any shortcuts.”
