Boss Hawg BBQ (802 W Taft), the craft barbecue restaurant with “Big Texas Flavor,” is taking a big step as they prepare to drop prices across the menu by as much as 20%.
The change is a strategic move to help their customers through the difficult economic climate and give them a chance to eat out more often without breaking the bank.
Drew Carson, the son of owners Joel and Ronda Carson, is the operations manager for Boss Hawg. He says the goal is to produce quality food and the opportunity to eat it more often. “We understand that it’s hard for people to spend money and go out,” he says. “We’re hoping (that) lowering prices for the community will give them a place where they can come and enjoy a good environment and really great food.”
A look at the brand-new menu shows a price decrease on almost every item, including meals, sandwiches, smoked meats, ribs, and more. Some are a dollar less than they were last week, while others, like the half-pound of brisket, are almost $3.00 less.
“Pretty much straight across the board, everything’s going down on our menu,” Drew said. “We think we’re giving a lot of good options and a lot of great value for what you’re getting.”
Joel Carson, who found his passion for barbecue when he started with a scratch-and-dent cooker in Dallas, emphasized that the “shrinkflation” currently plaguing consumers—where the prices remain the same or slightly lower, but the sizes and portions are also lowered—will by no means find its way to the Boss Hawg kitchen, neither in size nor in quality.
“We’re not changing the quality level of the product at all,” Joel said. “And we’re not changing the size containers, nothing like that.” He maintains that at the heart of the decision, it’s really about the customers and another opportunity to be a blessing to them.
“It’s a risky business move, but we feel like it’s justified or worthwhile for this period in time to do it. I mean, that’s kind of the message that we’re wanting to send: we’re part of the community, and we want to do what we can to help,” Joel said.
Ronda, who moved with Joel from the DFW area more than five years ago to help start the restaurant, says they make decisions as a family and they don’t make them lightly. “We’ve been praying about it every morning,” she said. “Even since day one at the store opening.”
One way that the Carsons have set themselves apart is by offering what they call “craft barbecue,” which is made to order and has a different process than what you’d find at most chain restaurants. “When you go to your usual buffet-style barbecue, it all tastes the same,” Ronda said. “The meats we cook, the wood we use, the rubs we use…it’s just higher quality. Our salami is not your grocery store salami. Same with the bologna. It’s just a higher grade, higher quality of meats than you would find on a buffet.”
Their commitment to quality ingredients at fair prices—and a willingness to try new things—is part of what’s kept them around long enough to outlast the other 3 local barbecue restaurants in town.
The Carsons say they hope the new prices will not only attract more regulars, but they’re also hoping that more folks will learn about the tex-mex and cajun-style options—not something that you usually find at a barbecue restaurant. Joel says those options have been a part of the plan since the beginning.
“I really didn’t want to be considered just barbecue, I really wanted to have a broader appeal, and that’s why we have cajun, that’s why we have tamales, and that kind of thing,” Joel says. “So I feel more of a responsibility to go out and try to connect with those with those customers that were loyal to those businesses.”
Boss Hawg does occasionally run out of items, and they encourage customers to call in orders ahead of arrival to ensure they’re able to get what they want. Certain items, like the Beef Dino Rib, requires 24-hour notice.
The new pricing officially begins this week when Boss Hawg opens for business on February 28th. They’re open on Wednesday through Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM, and on Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Learn more at thebosshawgbbq.com
