The Scoop: Phat Boys BBQ opens in Florissant

  With the cut of a ribbon, Mayor Thomas P. Schneider helped Florissant welcome Phat Boys BBQ to Florissant earlier this month. Though the barbecue concept, located at 300 St. Ferdinand, has served customers since September 2014, the official opening ceremony took place Feb. 12. “This started as a hobby. We had a food trailer for about a year, mostly during the summer, for family, friends and people passing by,” said co-owner Tracie Smith, who opened the brick-and-mortar location with husband Derek Smith and friend Torin Henderson. “Torin Henderson lives in Florissant, and he’s been looking around the area. This building was vacant, but it has good traffic, and we’re next to (Helfer’s Pastries).” Phat Boys BBQ is mainly a carryout concept, although about four seats are available inside the 850-square-foot building. Delivery within a five-mile radius is also an option for customers who place orders of $30 or more. The menu offers smoked barbecue classics like pulled pork, pulled chicken and beef brisket, along with side items such as mac-n-cheese, cole slaw and baked beans. Dessert options include peach cobbler, banana pudding and caramel cupcakes. Smith also mentioned pork steak, rib slabs and rib tips were frequent sell-out items. “Florissant is awesome,” Smith said. “We have lots of repeat customers and lots of word-of-mouth business.”