June 8, 2023

The newest food truck in Sioux Falls makes its debut today featuring a spin on barbecue recipes passed through generations.

Chris and Joanna Glover have started Southern Perfection BBQ.

“We actually come from a huge family back home in Georgia that have tons of experience with cooking,” Chris Glover said.

“My granddad barbecued for the family and the community,” Glover said. “When I met Joanna, her dad was really the inspiration. He taught me all the fundamentals, and I became infatuated with it. I was 19 at the time. Over the years, our passion for cooking evolved. We took the traditional recipes and put our own spin on it.”

Among the menu items are Texas-style brisket, pulled pork, spare ribs and smoked chicken.

“We use our own homemade rub that all the meats are rubbed down with before we put them in on the smoker,” Glover said. “We don’t sauce it (ahead of time) because we don’t want to mask the smoke and meat flavor.”

Customers can add one of three sauces: classic, sweet and smoky, and spicy. Or they can take Glover’s approach: “I like to mix the classic and the sweet and smoky.”

Homemade sides include baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and the upcharge side of mac-and-cheese.

“Our classic desserts available on a daily basis are Southern-style banana pudding and cream cheese pound cake,” Glover said.

The Glovers moved to Sioux Falls when he relocated here with Verizon Wireless six years ago.

“It was only supposed to be temporary. We loved the community and the culture. Our kids and we really enjoyed it, so we decided to stay long term.”

He works for Best Buy now but has a flexible schedule, so he’ll be able to help Joanna, who left a career with Minnehaha County to manage the day-to-day operations.

“I’ll be the primary pit master, overseeing the process all night.”

Their trailer, which they built out themselves, features an 8-foot back porch where the smoker sits.

Customers will find Southern Perfection BBQ at various businesses and organizations throughout the city and at events as they’re able to get them booked now that they’re running. The Glovers also offer catering for private gatherings.

Today’s debut is at Frontier Elementary, 2700 W. Lancaster Drive, until 4 p.m. Find the trailer from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Dollar Tree, 3130 W. 12^th St.; from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot next to Kum & Go, 501 N. Minnesota Ave.; and from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Bunker Bar in Harrisburg, which is celebrating Harrisburg Days through Sunday.

Keep up to date on locations through Southern Perfection BBQ’s Facebook page or on Instagram @southernperfectionbbqllc.

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