Today we’d like to introduce you to Trey Calhoun
Hi Trey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Yes I started my BBQ business in November 2020 during covid. I had alot of free time on my hands, so I was on the bbq smoker alot trying different meats. My passion to serve comes from my Great Grandmother who loved to see people eat and socialize. I truly believe that we’re put on this earth to be a blessing to somebody else.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it gets easier everything. When I started out at the time my full time job was teaching and bbq was my part time job, the challenge was to get people to first see that I could bbq, and second to show them that I was serious. I taught Middle School. For 17 years, 15 of those years I Coached, so people looked at me as a teacher and a coach, not a guy that can bbq. I thank GOD for my Principal at the time Kelly Hastings, I owe her so much. She asked me if she brought a couple of Briskets could I Smoke them for a teacher appreciation lunch, she allowed me to bring my smoker to work. Once I brought my smoker to work people could see that I was serious about what I was doing, and once they tasted the brisket I had them hooked. For the rest of the school year Mrs. Hastings would let me Smoke Turkeys for Thanksgiving, Christmas lunch, Teacher Appreciation, and end of the year bbq. I’m so grateful for Mrs. Hastings to allow me to grow and not be just a teacher, she’s amazing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Calhoun’s Country Smoke?
When I was starting my business I wanted to make sure my main focus would be and always be on serving the people. I wanted to provide a quality meal for people that would help them minimize their problems and stress of this world for a little ,through eating flavorful bbq and socialization. I remind people all the time that I might not be the best bbq around, but I’m striving to be the most consistent BBQ AROUND. Consistent on how I Smoke my meat, consistent on how I treat people, that’s so important to me. Yes we offer briskets, Ribs, pork butts, Sausage, turkey ,legs, beans, potato salad, and Mac N Cheese like most places, but we are set apart because we will not make large sums of food just to sell and make a profit, yes money is good, but not at the cost of pushing products out to make some money. All of our products will be smoked low and slow, we’re not rushing the process; if we run out come back the next time to see us, good food takes time.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Customer service is a big priority, When people ask me how does my bbq taste I tell them; the people say it taste good and they say how does it taste to you. I explain to them that first I’ve been smoking so much that I can’t smell or taste my own food lol, second it does not matter how good I think my food is, the people that buy it and come back have to think that it’s good. If not I don’t have a business, the people are my focus.
Pricing:
- Briskets 12lb $125 17lb Brisket $165
- Ribs $35 a slab
- Pork Shoulders $60
- 25 Smoked Wings $60
- Turkey Legs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.calhounscsmoke.com
- Instagram: trey.calhoun.528
- Facebook: trey.calhoun.528
