One minute, you’re pulling into the Shell station at the southeast nook of Apalachee Parkway and Capital Circle. The following, you’re drawn to a tantalizing aroma. Observe your nostril and the plumes of oak wooden smoke to a shiny purple meals truck perched in the nook of the parking zone.
Welcome to Mo-Betta BBQ, which has been serving smoked spare ribs, chopped pork, beef brisket and hen for 12 years, tantalizing clients with ‘cue so good it should “Break Yo Mouth.”
That’s the slogan touted by Billy “Mo” Hollaway, who owns and operates the barbecue enterprise along with his spouse, Nicole.
“I introduced the truck to Tallahassee to be at a soccer sport,” mentioned Mo. “So many individuals favored the meals, they mentioned ‘Keep right here.’ “
And so he did.
However the path from Mo’s childhood in Stockton, California to this nook of Tallahassee has taken extra turns than a pig on a spit.
When Mo was somewhat boy, his dad had a barbecue restaurant. “He had 15 brothers and sisters they usually competed when it got here to barbecue.”
The boys typically did the grilling and the girls have been cooking sides and pies in the kitchen, mentioned Mo. “I grew up round it and picked up secrets and techniques.”
Then his dad received sick and misplaced the enterprise.
Mo by no means forgot his love of barbecue, however for greater than 20 years, he constructed a profession as a singer in the band California Malibus, a gaggle in the model of the Temptations.
“After 21, 22 years, I made a decision to again out of the band, and I realized to drive vehicles,” he mentioned.
Mo then drove vehicles for about 10 years, consuming barbecue throughout the nation, sampling dry rubs and sauces in locations like St. Louis, Kansas, Chicago, Milwaukee and Memphis.
“After I traveled, I at all times favored to strive totally different flavored meals,” mentioned Mo.
He ultimately ended up opening a meals truck in the Tampa space earlier than coming to Tallahassee.
His spouse, Nicole, is a Tallahassee native who received each her levels at Florida State College. She studied enterprise administration after which received her grasp’s diploma in accounting and finance. She was Observe Administrator at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for 18 years earlier than retiring.
“That looks as if a lifetime in the past,” mentioned Nicole. “Now I work with my finest buddy, my husband, each day.”
Ask the couple how lengthy they’ve been married they usually’ll each chime in “not lengthy sufficient.” They create their love and humorousness to a enterprise that may be fairly robust, particularly throughout scorching, summer season days and hard months of coping with a pandemic.
Since their enterprise is take-out, they’ve managed, although their meals truck enterprise has been placed on maintain. They’ve one other truck on premises that they used for occasions, video games and gatherings. Mo mentioned he’s grateful that the homeowners of the Shell station haven’t raised his hire over the years.
“They’ve been instrumental in serving to me keep,” mentioned Mo. There are occasions clients come for ‘cue and find yourself shopping for gasoline whereas others purchase gasoline after which are lured to the scent of the smoke — Mo makes use of oak or hickory, generally pecan.
One other problem. Meat costs have gone up and beef and hen have been exhausting to search out.
“I couldn’t discover hen in the present day,” mentioned Mo. “Our clients are understanding. They learn the paper, they know what’s occurring.
My husband and I’ve been to Mo-Betta’s many instances however we have been simply there for lunch this week. The Hollaways have moved the picnic tables, the place we might generally sit and chow down. Given Covid-19, it’s simpler to simply stick with takeout now with out having clients linger, mentioned Nicole.
The menu is so tempting it’s exhausting to determine what to order. My husband and I each needed the chopped pork sandwich, scrumptious and addictive ($7.15). It’s filled with a lot meat I can barely eat it multi function sitting whereas my husband manages to devour the entire factor. Mo urged including cole slaw atop the pork on one in all our visits right here and it’s such complement that’s the method we order all of it the time. Sides are $3.25 for eight ounces however you may get bigger servings.
We additionally received an order of smoked ribs (common measurement for $10.26), that are cooked with a dry rub, a concoction Mo has created from his reminiscences and experiences round the nation. The ribs are meaty with a tremendous char, served with suggestions in addition to toast. You can even order a half or full slab. Sauce is obtainable on the facet and whereas many ‘cue lovers prefer to slather it on the whole lot, the meat is so good it can save you it for one thing else.
We added a facet of comforting mac ‘n cheese, and have loved the baked beans and potato salad. There are additionally combos. Nicole typically works the window and he or she is so pleasant, she’ll steer you in the right path.
“I can let you know that previous to this I used to be terrified of the kitchen,” mentioned Nicole, who now is aware of all the recipes and strategies for cooking Mo-Betta’s repertoire. “I by no means thought I’d say it however ‘I like it.’
Mo and Nicole each discuss of being grateful for his or her longtime barbecue spot.
“The great Lord led me this manner,” mentioned Mo. “Thanks to Tallahassee.”
In the event you go …
Mo-Betta BBQ, 3105 Apalachee Pkwy.; 850-570-8800. Open 11 a.m. to eight p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Supply providers can be found.
