By Jake Trumbo
For Now Utah
When “T” and Becci Brown started selling hickory smoked barbecue out of a catering rig just over 10 years ago, they had dreams of opening up shop someplace a little more permanent. When I grow up I wanna be a restaurant read the sticker on the back of their trailer, and the smoky flavor of T’s ribs caught on so well that after only a year, Q4U Hickory-Smoked Bar-B-Que was open for business.
T reminisces about growing up as a military brat and traveling all over the country sampling the specialties of various food joints. During his childhood in Texas, he “learned what good food was and bad food was” and soon realized why it was that all his friends insisted on coming over to his house to eat.
Now T and Becci invite you to their house—more specifically the kitchen—for some down home, “authentic southern-style barbecue that’s truly award winning.” Q4U’s originality and careful devotion to family recipes for everything on the menu from beef brisket to coleslaw have made the dining establishment a favorite among barbecue aficionados including quite a few NBA and NFL stars and local celebrities whose photos line the walls.
Everything at Q4U is made from scratch including T’s own rubs which he says allows him to “fine-tune” the seasoning to make sure your meal is “just what the doctor ordered.” You’ll be back a few times to get a taste of everything on the menu like ribs served “dry” with one (or both) of Q4U’s signature barbecue sauces—regular or spicy— served on the side, a savory pulled pork or Darn Snacky Rib Sandwich, or perhaps a plate of T’s “killer fried chicken that can’t be touched.” No meal is complete without a couple of famous soul food side dishes. On special Friday nights, Q4U hosts “Pig on the Rig,” a whole roast pig served kahlua-style. Call ahead to make sure you don’t miss the next one!
“We don’t claim to be the best in town, just another option,” T says, but he’s being a bit too modest. With 92 cook-off awards and counting, he and Becci have worked to put Utah on the map for having great barbecue to rival anywhere else in the country. Citysearch.com ranked Q4U as one of the top 10 barbecue restaurants in the US and after bringing home numerous Grand Champion trophies at the Rock N’ Ribs Fest, being named to Sunset Magazine’s Hall of Flame, and winning countless local and national competitions, Q4U has earned more awards than they can fit on the walls.
A passion for the science of barbecuing and paying close attention to the little things is what T believes has made him a success. “When you love what you’re doing, and you have pride in what you’re doing, then you’re consistent in what you’re doing,” he says, and that consistency is what has folks coming back for more. As president and founder of the Utah BBQ Association, T works to spread his knowledge and love of cooking to aspiring barbecue chefs of all skill levels with classes, tips and techniques, and certified judging for those might be thinking of entering a competition or two themselves. Check it out at www.utahbbq.org.
Like T says, “Call the dogs in, put the fire out, the hunt’s over,” you’ve just found the spot to bring family and friends for some of the best barbecue and home cookin’ around.
Details
Q4U Southern-Style Bar-B-Que
3951 W. 5400 S., Taylorsville
801-288-2201
Open Mon – Sat; 11 am to 9 pm
Delivery and catering available
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