A Local’s Guide to Ruston’s Best Barbecue

By: TLP's Partners

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Meet Brent Causey, a local barbecue connoisseur who’s serving up his take on Ruston’s best barbecue.

Brent Causey shares his take on Ruston's best barbecue spots.

Brent Causey was born and raised in Ruston, Louisiana, and has generations of family roots in the state. For his entire career, Causey has worked in IT services and is the proud owner and operator of Delta Cyber, which focuses on providing small businesses with IT help in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. Causey and his wife also own and run Southern Stays, a home rental service that provides homes for guests seeking a genuine Southern experience. Although he stays busy with his businesses, his true passion is barbecue.

Causey got his start in the world of barbecue in 2016 when he attended his first competition in a tiny trailer packed with grills from his back patio and a 10×10 tent. Surrounded by expensive cook trailers accompanied by motorhome buses and a powerful arctic front sending 30 miles-per-hour winds and freezing temperatures throughout the competition, Causey knew just how important barbecue was to the people of Louisiana. He quickly realized that this sport was not just throwing meat on the grill and that the competition is fierce.

Causey has seen his fair share of barbecue and definitely has the hardware to show for it. He’s earned numerous top five and top 10 finishes in sanctioned competitions hosted by the Barbecue Competitions Alliance, the International Barbecue Cookers Association, and the Steak Cook-off Association. Having that many awards has refined Causey’s craft and most of all, made him appreciate his roots in Ruston and the barbecue found in his hometown. While Northern Louisiana isn’t necessarily known for barbecue, Ruston offers a great traditional barbecue experience worth checking out.

Causey’s Top Three Picks for Ruston’s Best Barbecue:

Hot Rod Barbeque

This quick-serving restaurant cuts fresh-cooked meats right in front of you. Causey adds that Hot Rod Barbecue’s sensational deep smoke-flavored ribs, cooked on real oak wood, are his personal favorite. On top of the ribs, Causey recommends their unrivaled beans and legendary potato salad. Visitors of Hot Rod Barbecue will surely be stuffed and ready to come back for more.

Log Cabin Grill

Meats at the Log Cabin Grill are all masterfully cooked in a wood-fired grill, which brings out the flavor in all the food on the menu. Causey recommends getting the barbecue nachos or their signature quesadilla filled with a tender steak. Log Cabin Grill also houses a market where visitors can purchase all sorts of foods from fresh cuts of meat and spices to baked beans and branded merchandise.

Bad Wolf BBQ

This food truck concept is a staple at Ruston Heard Freighthouse Food Park. This local hit is a personal favorite of Causey’s, who praises their nontraditional barbecue methods and delicious menu that was curated and seasoned by owner and pitmaster Andrew Caskey. He recommends visitors try the sweet chili brussels sprouts as well as the elote topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheeto dust. Other standouts include a Southern spin on tacos, slow-smoked prime-cut brisket, and a mouthwatering jalapeño coleslaw side.