Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Loschiavo.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, I have always had a love and passion for barbecue. Before retiring from the Army in 2025, I decided that I would continue serving others by opening a food truck. I actually began the company in 2021, selling my housemade sauces and dry rubs online to family and friends. I wanted to wait to begin the food service aspect of the business until I was done moving for the Army. I began doing BBQ for myself around 2011 and cooked mostly for family and friends. The more often I would barbecue, the more I grew to love it and expand my range of skills. Opening my food truck in July 2025, my goal was and remains to be the hands and feet of Jesus by being a difference maker in my community through the world of BBQ. As much as I love to serve others from my truck, I am truly passionate about serving the community and doing as much non-profit work as possible. Today, my business supports other local small businesses as well as some national non-profit organizations. Blue Suede BBQ has quickly grown into a successful, sought-after place for great BBQ! We are the highest rated local BBQ spot on Google and Yelp and continue to expand our reach throughout the community and region.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with any business, it has not always been a smooth road. It took a long time to find the right food truck with the equipment that I needed with the specific commercial smoker that I wanted. Shortly after purchasing the food truck, I had some equipment issues that were unforeseen and resulted in some expensive repairs. There have been some other struggles along the way, but all of them have been manageable to date.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With Blue Suede BBQ, I operate a food truck as well as provide hand-crafted BBQ sauces and rubs. I specialize in Memphis style BBQ but also provide sauce options that are aligned with the part of the country where I operate. Specifically, I offer sauces geared towards the flavor profiles of North and South Carolinians. My most popular offerings are my pulled pork and my brisket. Most notably, the pulled pork has won the People’s Choice award for best pulled pork three years in a row (2024-2026) at the Battle of the Barbecue competition, my original “901” Memphis BBQ sauce won first place at the 2025 Pinehurst BBQ Festival, my Memphis dry rub also won first place at the same Pinehurst festival, and my chicken wings won first place at the 2026 “Battle of the Wings” at Red’s Corner in Southern Pines, NC. I am most proud of the quality of food we make as well as the philanthropic work we do. This, as well as our flavor profiles, is what sets us apart from our peers.
Any big plans?
My immediate plans for the future are to mass produce my sauces and rubs for sales locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. In the next 3-5 years, I would love to open at least one brick-and-mortar location as well as expand the food truck operations to include multiple trucks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluesuedebbq.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluesuedebbq/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLUESUEDEBBQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-suede-bbq-aberdeen
