He started selling only on Saturdays until a manager at Chevron told him he needed to be open Fridays, too, to take advantage of hungry construction workers who are widening State Road 54 in front of Willow Bend Towne Center.
"One guy took it back to the job site," he says. "Everyone else asked, 'Where did you get that?' Next thing, I had eight guys at my window."
Business boomed. So much so, Cox opens on Thursdays, too. It hasn't hurt the Chevron, either. Cox has a deal where he sends customers inside the gas station's store for their beverages in exchange for reduced rent for parking outside.
Three months ago, he bought the trailer, which he tows behind his truck every day. Inside, he has two fry wells, a six-burner oven and stove, two steam wells, a freezer, microwave, that giant smoker and a smaller "Fast Eddy" for smaller items. On weekends, he fries up catfish, flounder and shrimp. He also has started catering events. He'll be working the Land O' Lakes Flapjack Festival in November.
What's the appeal of eating at a barbecue stand? "You can see what the food looks like when it's made," Cox says. "You identify with the person making it as opposed to a restaurant, where it's made behind a door."
BILL-E-C'S BAR-B-QUE
frequently located at
22932 State Road 54, Lutz FL
813-295-3495
frequently located at
22932 State Road 54, Lutz FL
813-295-3495
In case motorists miss the 35-foot-long, custom-built trailer with the flaming graphics along the side, Bill Cox can always rely on the mixture of hickory and oak smoke trailing from his massive cooker to lure in new customers.
"There's something about that aroma that says, 'That oughta be good,'" he says.
Cox has been selling barbecue ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork and sausage on the roadside perimeter of a Chevron gas station for four years. He retired as a Teamster from Consolidated Freightways in 2002. His wife, Carmen, makes the coleslaw, red potato salad and baked beans "that everyone is crazy about," he says.
Cox has been cooking "since I was tall enough to reach Momma and Daddy's stove." He started making barbecue at home in the mid-1970s and found he had a knack for it. He set up a makeshift food stand - a glorified tent and box smoker - between the Chevron and State Road 54 and watched as customers flocked to the only barbecue place for miles.
"There's something about that aroma that says, 'That oughta be good,'" he says.
Cox has been selling barbecue ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork and sausage on the roadside perimeter of a Chevron gas station for four years. He retired as a Teamster from Consolidated Freightways in 2002. His wife, Carmen, makes the coleslaw, red potato salad and baked beans "that everyone is crazy about," he says.
Cox has been cooking "since I was tall enough to reach Momma and Daddy's stove." He started making barbecue at home in the mid-1970s and found he had a knack for it. He set up a makeshift food stand - a glorified tent and box smoker - between the Chevron and State Road 54 and watched as customers flocked to the only barbecue place for miles.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday - Saturday
Phone: 813-295-3495
