Ep. 76 | From Oil Rigs to Smoked Oxtails w/ Les Rhodes Jr. @lesbbq

👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon:   / blacksmokebarbecue   In this powerhouse episode, the crew sits down with Les Rhodes Jr., founder and pitmaster of LES BBQ, known nationwide for his viral smoked oxtails, bold flavors, and community-first mindset. From working oil rigs to building a USDA-certified BBQ brand and restaurant, Les shares his inspiring journey of hustle, innovation, and staying rooted in authenticity. 🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode: How Les went from front-yard football grilling to viral BBQ sensation The Sam’s Club moment that sparked his signature “Candy Red” smoked oxtails Navigating overnight success, $100K weeks, and scaling nationwide shipping The power of family in business, mentorship, and raising the next generation Using social media and storytelling to build community and brand identity Lessons from touring, catering, and innovating products (yes, even oxtail-infused sausage!) Why pricing, quality, and presentation matter more than ever in today’s BBQ economy Les’s commitment to elevating BBQ without losing the soul or the sauce What it means to scale a business while staying authentic, grassroots, and intentional 🔥 Whether you're a pitmaster, entrepreneur, or foodie, this episode is full of real talk, game-changing insights, and mouthwatering inspiration from one of BBQ’s rising stars. 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe to keep the smoke rolling with every episode. #BlackSmokeBBQ #LESBBQ #SmokedOxtails #CandyRedBBQ #BarbecueCulture #BlackPitmasters #FamilyBusiness #BBQPodcast #CulinaryInnovation #TexasBBQ #FoodEntrepreneurship #GrillAndGrow Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast 02:45 The Journey of Les Rhodes: From Oil Rigs to Barbecue 05:56 Revolutionizing Mail Order Barbecue 08:57 The Rise of Oxtails in Barbecue Culture 12:05 The Art of Achieving the Perfect Barbecue Color 14:43 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Failure 17:56 The Importance of Staying Humble and Inspired 20:39 Les Rhodes' Barbecue Beginnings and Early Experiences 23:56 Favorite Proteins and Cooking Techniques 26:41 The Art of Slow Cooking Oxtails 28:08 Transitioning from Backyard to Brick and Mortar 30:35 The Role of Family in Business 30:55 The Importance of Quality Control 35:28 Innovative Culinary Creations 40:04 Engagement Through Social Media 43:43 Applying Business Skills from Drilling to BBQ 47:11 Cooking for Celebrities: A Memorable Experience 49:49 The Rise of a BBQ Star 51:52 Family Dynamics in the BBQ Business 53:55 From Backyard to Business 55:09 Navigating Customer Expectations and Pricing 59:43 Life Beyond BBQ: Hobbies and Family 01:01:10 Future Plans: Fitness and BBQ 01:02:26 Being a Black Pitmaster in Utah 01:05:48 Barbecue as a Luxury Item