A Taste of Texas Takes a Break

Pico’s BBQ, a beloved Texas-style barbecue spot, has shut its doors. The food truck, known for its mouthwatering ribs, brisket, and sausage, was a rare gem in the Peninsula area. It had been serving up delicious eats on Saturdays for about a year in Redwood City. Before that, it was a pop-up, popping up weekly to satisfy cravings. The owner, Russell Savage, made the tough call to close up shop. He shared the news on Instagram, thanking his loyal customers. He poured his heart into Pico’s BBQ and was grateful for the support. The closure wasn’t due to a lack of customers, though. Savage had been juggling too much and was at risk of burning out.Running a food truck comes with its own set of challenges. Savage faced several hurdles in expanding his business. He was running out of space in his food truck. He even applied for a Small Business Administration loan but was turned down because the restaurant was only open one day a week. He found a potential brick-and-mortar spot but hit another roadblock—getting permission to operate a smoker proved to be unlikely. Despite the challenges, Savage is at peace with his decision. He’s proud of the diverse crowd he attracted. People from all walks of life—different economic, political, and racial backgrounds—came to enjoy his barbecue. He truly brought a unique cross-section of California together through his food.