Press releases, podcasts, and radio — every announcement worth knowing about Southern Luv BBQ, in one place.
The pit's smoked-pork Cuban placed second for World's Best Traditional Cuban Sandwich at the 15th Annual festival in Ybor City — the second consecutive year Southern Luv has finished on the podium.
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Tampa, FL
Florida-first expansion strategy targets a market where fast-casual barbecue demand has outpaced supply, with prime territories awarded on a first-come basis.
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St. Petersburg, FL
Veronica Brezina reports on the EDGE District location at 900 Central Avenue and the franchisee committing to 13 Florida stores across Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Lakeland, and South Florida.
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St. Petersburg, FL
A 1,256-square-foot location at 900 Central Avenue opens by late 2026, signed by a franchisee who has committed to 13 stores across Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Lakeland, and South Florida.
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Tampa, FL
The brand's first multi-unit franchise agreement covers the greater Tampa area, built on a 600–1,000 square foot ventless kitchen model designed for food halls, airports, and urban retail.
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Chef Essi Tadrus joins the Alan Alford Sports Talk Show to talk about Southern Luv BBQ's run at the 15th Annual International Cuban Sandwich Festival in Ybor City.
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Tampa, FL
Hayli Zuccola features the Citrus Park pit in Tampa Magazine's annual list, highlighting the pecan-wood smoking, scratch-made sides, and the regional range behind the menu.
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Ybor City, FL
Radio coverage of Southern Luv BBQ's showing at the International Cuban Sandwich Festival in Ybor City.
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Tampa, FL
The brisket Cuban took second for World's Best Non-Traditional Cuban Sandwich at the 14th Annual festival, and Southern Luv placed second for Popular Tampeño Food at the Taste of Tampa Festival.
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52:00
Chef Essi Tadrus on the smoking techniques behind the pit, why commissary kitchens are the future of barbecue, and how to hold flavour consistent while a concept scales.
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Tampa, FL
Cory White covers the Citrus Park opening and the free pulled pork and mac and cheese Southern Luv served to the community once power returned after Hurricane Milton.
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Tampa, FL
Andrew Harlan on the menu, Chef Essi's path from a first rib at age five in Fort Hood to opening his own pit — and the free meals served to neighbours after Hurricane Milton.
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Episode 56 · 1:01:09
Chef Essi Tadrus joins Bobby Shaw and Myles Gift to trace the path from a first kitchen job at fourteen to selling Rib Shack in 2018 — and how the name Southern Luv BBQ came out of the way he described his own cooking.
ListenPress, podcasts, and radio from Southern Luv BBQ — the pit, the people, and the franchise story, straight from Tampa.
Journalists and producers: our press kit, founder bio, high-res photography, and story ideas live on the press & media kit page.
