Food Truck Feature - QUp! BBQ

Hello fellow Food Truck enthusiasts!

We are just a couple days away from the Food Truck Round-Up at Superstition Farms this Saturday. If you haven't got your tickets yet, you better hurry because I was told these tickets will start selling out before the event. Walk-ins won't be accepted and there is 2500 ticket cap for this event. Tickets are available online at superstitionfarm.com, $20 or $25 V.I.P.

But until then, it is that time again to bring to light another rising food truck in the Valley..

It was a very beautiful Saturday to venture out into Phoenix. My Twitter feed lead me out to the Phoenix Farmer's Market and a food truck that is looking to make its mark in the valley. Chef and Owner Devin Clough told me about his inspiration and mission about starting up his food truck, QUp! BBQ.

BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos w/ Tater Tots

"One thing I noticed is that I haven't had any BBQ in Phoenix that just blows me away and that's what I wanted to bring to the valley." Clough stated, "With all the great food we have, we need great BBQ. So, my inspiration is to bring great BBQ, mixed with some flair to the streets of Phoenix from a food truck."

His BBQ is prepared the way he likes it, using the flavors from specific wood and putting the necessary time in smoking his meats. From his BBQ sauce and rubs to the baked beans and coleslaw, everything is home made and is sure hitting a spot with fans.

“We have received tons of raves from people on our Facebook and Twitter accounts and they rave at the truck about how much they love the food. Hopefully, very soon you will see awards or notoriety about us.”

There is another thing, apart from providing great BBQ, that's fueling Clough's passion.

"The other inspiration is food trucks, in general! I love street food, especially good street food! So, I wanted to join in the revolution, help educate the valley and get the awareness out."

The BBQ Brisket Sandwich

And that deep passion for street food reflects highly on the food he serves at every outing he goes on. Smoked brisket, chicken, and pulled pork in, your choice of, a sandwich or taco, topped with cool and freshly made slaw. And you can't have a sandwich or taco without including a side of his bacon & brown sugar baked beans, mac & cheese, or tater tots (if your inner kid speaks to you). Now, if that meal didn’t make your mouth water, you need to check your pulse!

When I first started off, it was a couple weeks after QUp! BBQ first started up and was one of many food trucks I visited right off the bat. The BBQ Brisket sandwich was absolutely delicious. The brisket was tender and melted in your mouth and the cole slaw gave it texture and full of flavor. The same could be said about the pulled pork tacos, topped with slaw, with every bite was just bursting with flavor. Best of all, when it comes to slaw… you put it on top of a sandwich and mix it in with any sauce, to me, it is a guarantee winner!

Even my boss agrees! =D

"Cole slaw on tacos... man, those were goooood!"
His exact words

But, the pièce de résistance, in my opinion…

Pulled pork BBQ nachos. Fresh nacho chips, topped with the signature pulled pork, drizzled with BBQ and cheese sauce, then garnished with tomatoes and green onions. All I can say is that I’m grateful that I fasted 24 hours before taking on these bad boys. Great to share with people or if you’re not feeling generous, you can have them all for yourself. These nachos are absolutely amazing!

So, if you haven't had the opportunity to try some really awesome BBQ, you can find Devin and QUp! at the Phoenix Farmer's Market on Saturdays or you can track them down on Twitter, @QupBBQ, or finding them on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Q-UP-Barbeque/195810700512652

And, before I forget... QUp! BBQ is now officially “F.T.J. Approved”!

Hope to see everyone on Saturday and keep on truckin’!

~Nick
The Food Truck Junkie