While we can’t necessarily call it a universal truth, more times than not when a new food truck comes onto the scene, the eventual goal is to develop enough of a following and business to establish yourself in a permanent location. A ‘brick and mortar’ as it is commonly known in F&B circles. Again, a lot of trucks out there are very happy to not have to deal with the overhead that comes with a permanent space. You know, rent, labor, utilities and all of that fun stuff. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice.
One of Savannah’s most popular food trucks has its eye on settling down a little bit. Slow Fire BBQ will soon be available to anyone looking for it every day. Well, assuming they will be open 7 days a week, which we doubt.
Slow Fire BBQ was an instant hit when they came on the scene in January of 2023. Word spread like a fast fire. It wasn’t long before the lines were showing up Starland Yard for them. Sell outs were very common early on.
At the time, Pitmaster (and Savannah native) Terren Williams, told me the goal was to get into a brick and mortar “as soon as possible.” The food truck could only handle so much and it made operations significantly more difficult. We had a laugh at the time because we both knew it would take time to connect those dots. Time to develop the requisite following. Time to make a few bucks and most importantly, time to find the right location.
Now they have.
For the last couple of weekends, the former school bus known as Slow Fire BBQ has been setting up shop on the grounds of what will become their brick and mortar location later this year. It’s at 1904 Waters Avenue and will be-no doubt-a welcomed addition to already bumbling revival of the Waters Avenue corridor.
I stopped by last weekend and found that they’d added a few simple brunch items to their menu. There’s a brisket taco with a fried egg on top and a hot honey spicy chicken slider with pimento cheese. There’s also a brunch bowl: spicy cheese grits, tater tots, egg, green onion and your choice of meat (Brisket or Pork).
Sounds like a solid cure from one of those uptown Saturday nights.
Their regular menu is part of the equation as well. Pulled pork or brisket sandwiches or either meat by the pound of half-pound. If you’ve had it before, then you know it’s solid.
We should state for the record that the weekend stops at 1904 Waters aren’t their only stops. During the week you can still find them here and there around town. That schedule changes usually week to week and can be found by following them on Instagram. The same applies to any future visit you may want to take on an upcoming weekend. Double check before you go. Why? If Slow Fire BBQ happens to get hired for some huge weekend event on any given Saturday or Sunday going forward, then it is more than reasonable to assume there is one place you will NOT find them and that’s 1904 Waters.
There is seating. A handful of picnic tables have been placed on the grounds to make it easy to roll up on their truck, sit down and Eat It and Like It. There’s even a port-o-potty around back if you find yourself in a pinch. I make that point only because if you are familiar with the neighborhood then you know there really isn’t much around. It is very much a neighborhood in transition. For the better from my seat.
Clinton Edminsters Water Cafe has very quickly become a Savannah favorite down the street, a grocery store will be opening on Waters soon and Gary Gordon’s 520 Wings will be opening his 3rd location on Waters soon. That construction is moving along at a great clip.
For now, you’ve got weekend BBQ with plenty of parking and no stress getting in or out. They are usually there from 10am until 2 or 3pm.
Look for Slow Fire BBQ to become a permanent part of the neighborhood by year’s end.
