Press releases, podcasts, and radio — every announcement worth knowing about Southern Luv BBQ, in one place.
The award-winning Tampa barbecue brand is opening its first Broward County location at 6819 Stirling Road in Davie, operated by franchisee Dark Mountain LLC, with day-one hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Read more
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.
Read more 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.
Read the coverage
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Ybor City, Tampa, FL
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.
Read more
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.
Listen
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.
Read the coverage
Ybor City, FL
Radio coverage of Southern Luv BBQ's showing at the International Cuban Sandwich Festival in Ybor City.
Read the coverage
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.
Read more
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.
Listen
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.
Read the coverage
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.
Read the coverage
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.
