Since December of last year, Rev Ed’s Backyard BBQ has been serving the Pampa community Texas style BBQ and street tacos that can’t be missed.
Aside from pastoring Pampa First Assembly and serving as director of the Harvest House, Ed Sattesahn opens up the bright blue food trailer on Duncan Street every Friday.
Ed’s love for cooking first started in his mother’s kitchen when he was a kid and in his personal life, he still uses many of the same methods. But it wasn’t until he participated in the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship where his interest and passion for cooking really piqued.
“I love to cook and I really learned how to cook when I was with the Royal Ranger Ministry which is part of the Assemblies of God,” he said. “They have a segment of that which is the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship. So everything was pre-1840. Everything we did on our campouts, there was nothing displayed that was after 1840. So we camped in canvas shelters, we dressed the part and we cooked the same way, so there was a lot of cast iron cooking.”
“Part of that was they encouraged everyone to have a trade, so there were leather makers and knife makers, people who made clothing and so forth. Well, as a pastor, I didn’t have a lot of time to do all of that, but I loved to cook. So I learned to cook with Dutch ovens. I’ve taught Dutch oven courses since then.”
“Through the years, I would do grilling for family gatherings. After my kids got a little older, they said, dad, you need to go into business. Well, I didn’t have time to go into business because I was in ministry and that’s a 24/7 job. But I still loved to do it. I still cooked for family and church gatherings.”
Ed wanted to turn his passion of cooking into something more than just a way to make extra income-he wanted to be able to give back.
“This whole thing came about because I wanted to learn how to smoke meat Texas style. So I learned how to do that and I’m still learning. It got to the point where I just wanted to step out and do something because there’s going to come a day I’m going to step back from pastoring a church and still want to try and help people. This whole idea with the food trailer is not to be out there making money. When I announced this to the congregation what I was doing, I said God forbid if there’s a natural disaster, I want to be able to take the trailer and a few people with me and let’s do some cooking and do whatever we can to help.“
“I’ve seen hurricanes go through Florida and I’ve seen the devastation and look on people’s faces, the shock that they’re in-sitting on the curb and their house behind them is totally destroyed. They don’t know what to do. That’s an opportunity to sit down and talk with them, encourage them, pray for them and obviously they need something to eat. My wife and I said when we started this that we wanted to be able to use it as a ministry as well. I have a sign next to the window that has words of encouragement or a scripture. But with our tips, we have decided that we want to give those away to places like the Pregnancy Support Center and Hope House or towards the Harvest House, Tralee. We’ve given to The Well downtown. We just want to help.”
Rev Ed’s menu consists of the classic backyard BBQ, including smoked brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs, sausage and those sides that pair perfectly to make the plate complete, such as macaroni salad, potato salad and baked beans just to name a few. Ed also offers desserts as well, the bread pudding being the most popular and unique.
Rev Ed’s most popular item at the present moment are the street tacos with any meat of your choice, dressed up with a cilantro sauce that is made in-house.
Brenlie Etheridge and Lilye Ogle work for Rev Ed’s helping with customers and putting together orders while Ed is busy smoking and tending to the meats, and he couldn’t be more grateful for them.
Rev Ed’s Backyard BBQ is located at 1600 Duncan Street on the DeFever Monument Company parking lot and is open every Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM. Rev Ed’s will be located at the Pampa Regional Medical Center this Friday at noon to serve lunch to the hospital staff, but will also be open to the public. They also offer catering services.
For more information about Rev Ed’s Backyard BBQ or to call in an order or request catering, call 806-664-1119.
