Smoke you can see, stories you can taste. We welcome Full Moon BBQ David Maloof to share how a tiny 50–60 seat Birmingham spot with an open wood-burning pit became a 17-store stalwart without trading away its soul. David walks us through the choices that matter: hickory over shortcuts, open kitchens over back-room mystery, and a service mindset that treats every guest like a president. If you have ever wondered how to scale a craft built on patience and fire, this is a blueprint you can feel.

We explore the flavours that define the South and the details that define Full Moon. From the tug between sweet red sauce, vinegar tang, mustard heat, and Alabama white sauce, to the unsung hero—chow chow—that snaps every sandwich to life. David breaks down rub strategy by protein, why pork butts go in un-rubbed, and how a touch of oregano and the right granulated garlic can transform ribs, chicken, and brisket cooked low and slow. There is honesty here too: power surges that kill a brisket run, the hard choice to say “we are out,” and the rule that quality beats convenience every time.

Beyond smoke and spice, we get into the business of barbecue: training manuals, hiring for character, and keeping standards tight as stores grow from 1,800 to 5,500 square feet. The menu widens without losing identity—giant baked potatoes loaded with pork, chicken, turkey, or brisket; crisp salads; scratch sides made with care. Catering now fuels weddings, offices, and massive game days, where pits stretch 14 feet and a thousand slabs move in a Saturday rush. Through it all, community remains the centre: giving back, inviting people to see and taste the work, and making the pit a stage that keeps the team honest and the guests connected.

If you love barbecue, leadership, or simply a good growth story anchored by integrity, you will find plenty to savour. Hit follow, share with a friend who loves low and slow, and leave a review to tell us your favourite regional sauce—red, white, vinegar, or mustard?

Sponsored by AOS Kitchens
AOS Kitchens are a leading outdoor kitchen design and installation specialists based in Hampshire