Backyard Firepit opens on Chincoteague, offers homemade smoked meats

On Chincoteague Island's Church Street, the tempting aroma of barbecue welcomes passerbys. 

Beside a family home is a food trailer serving up smoked meats and homemade sides reminiscent of the dinner table. Opened in late June, Backyard Firepit, located at 6312 Church St., is offering customers homemade barbecue plates all made from scratch on site. 

Owned by Lisa Brooks and Patrick Tretts, Backyard Firepit is a culmination of two years of planning. Tretts runs the smoker while Brooks and her daughters serve up the platters and sandwiches. 

The inspiration behind the business came from Brooks and Tretts family time cooking and barbecuing. The passion for cooking has been passed down to both of them and they decided to share their barbecue skills with the locals and tourists of Chincoteague. 

“We’ve always barbecued in our backyard over an open flame,” Brooks said.   

Brooks is from Pennsylvania while Tretts is from New York. The two ended up on Chincoteague when they were looking for a new place to call home and the island felt right. 

Brooks said they purchased the food trailer in New York. Before it was a taco trailer, so it was already equipped with a lot of what it needed. She said they only added a few additions to make it right for barbecue.

They chose the location because of its accessibility to customers and ease for the family. Tretts is typically out in the backyard periodically to watch over the meats in the smoker. 

“You just walk out the door and you’re right at work," Brooks said. 

Customers can choose from brisket, ribs, pulled pork and chicken that are all smoked in the backyard. Tretts put the smoker together himself and this is the third version. He said its the perfect one as it meets the right temperature and stays consistent to cook the meats properly. 

“It’s dialed in," he said.

The meats are seasoned with house-made rubs and smoked over hickory wood. Customers can order sandwiches, half-pound or pound servings. 

Combo plates are also available. Customers can choose one, two or three meat platters and add two sides with cornbread, Brooks said. 

All of the sides are also made on-site. Options include macaroni and cheese, backyard slaw, salt potatoes, fries and cornbread. Sides can also be ordered individually, pint or family size. 

Customers can also pick up Backyard Firepit t-shirts. 

So far, Brooks and Tretts said the reception from customers has been positive.

“I think it’s been great," Tretts said. 

While their business isn't on the busier streets of Chincoteague like Maddox Boulevard and Main Street, people are still searching Backyard Firepit out for a quiet spot to enjoy a good meal. 

“A lot of locals like coming here because it’s away from that," Tretts said. 

The two would like to see the positive reception to Backyard Firepit continue to grow. Tretts said expansion isn't out of the question if people continue to come back. His dream is to be reminiscent of Deep South barbecue restaurants where customers line up waiting for dishes. 

But, for right now, the family is excited with the current customer base who are enjoying the homemade barbecue. 

"They're going crazy about it," Tretts said. "I didn't think it would be so big." 

If you go: 

What: Backyard Firepit

Where: 6312 Church St.

When: Daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., open seasonally

Contact: (757) 336-7060, Facebook.com/BackyardFirepitBBQ

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Mryan@delmarvanow.com