JJ’s BBQ plans to return to Elba
May 5 was an ordinary day for the residents of Elba until an unexpected event unfolded. Local resident Jacob Brunson was driving when he noticed a dense cloud of smoke in the downtown area. Upon approaching JJ’s BBQ on Claxton Avenue, Brunson realized the source of the smoke was actually the building itself
Brunson said, “I thought it was smoke from the barbecue smoker at first.” However, within a few moments, “I saw flames shooting out of the windows of the building.”
Reacting swiftly, he immediately pulled over to offer assistance when two women ran out of the building yelling “Someone call 911.” Brunson retrieved his phone and promptly dialed the emergency number. As soon as the operator answered, he exclaimed, “JJ’s is burning down!”
Chequita Walker, the owner of JJ’s BBQ, received a frantic call from her daughter, who informed her about the devastating news. “My daughter told me that she stepped out back, and when she came back, the pit was in flames,” she recalled.
The fire erupted unexpectedly, originating from the smoker pit itself. Walker explained, “Something with the pit, the smoker pit, the fire just shot out the side. It was the pit that caught the place on fire.”
The fire resulted in a complete loss of the structure, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. Walker said, “Everything else is just material things that can be replaced. I’m glad my employees are okay.”
In 2020, the Alabama Pork Producers selected JJ’s as winner of its Bama’s Best Pulled Pork contest. JJ’s beat out more than 100 other barbecue places across Alabama to win the title.
Magazine articles and even an appearance on the Alabama Farmers Federation’s “Simply Southern TV” shared the news that locals already knew.
The title immediately impacted the restaurant attracting BBQ enthusiasts from near and far.
“Travelers heading toward the beach would stop in from Florida, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, and even California,” Walker said. Winning the contest had a profound effect, not only on JJ’s BBQ but also on the reputation of Elba as a destination for great food.
The menu at JJ’s offered a variety of delectable options, but the most popular item has been the regular pork sandwich. “A lot of people come, and they’ll order a meal and then they’ll order a regular pork sandwich on their way home because it’s so good,” Walker said.
The menu also featured dishes such as a sweet potato named after her mother, and the “Big Bubba” named after her father. Consisting of chopped pork, sauce, and coleslaw, the Big Bubba was a fan favorite.
The story of JJ’s BBQ began in 2017 when Walker decided to start her own venture. “I was hesitant at first to start a new business,” she said However, the arrival of an adopted 2-month-old boy, Josiah Jaron, inspired her to take the leap.
She named the restaurant “JJ’s BBQ” in his honor.
Her roots in Elba run deep. “All my life, I was born and raised here in Elba.” Her connection to the community is evident in the passion she poured into her business.
Barbecue is a family tradition in Walker’s family. “My dad and granddaddy barbecued, but I probably started in the barbecue business about 30 years ago,” Walker stated.
Her background working in the restaurant business gave her the skills she needed. Walker explained, “I cooked, I smoked, I cooked in the pit, and was basically running someone else’s business.”
She quickly mastered the art of barbecue. “I learned how to work a smoking pit, and it was an asset in my life later on,” Walker said.
In a small town like Elba, the news about the loss of JJ’s BBQ building swept across town. Hundreds of her customers reached out with offers of help and with words of encouragement that she needed to keep looking forward.
That encouragement convinced Walker that she will reopen the business as soon as possible. “We will rebuild, and it will be in Elba,” she said, adding that the essence of the restaurant and the soul of its flavors will continue when she reopens the award-winning barbecue stop.
She and her fans from near and far are sure that the mouth-watering aroma of JJ’s BBQ will once again fill the air of Elba, reminding everyone that obstacles can be overcome
Tags: Elba
