Spokane barbecue enthusiast Al Batson is preparing to roll out a new truck, (m)EAT BBQ, which will serve barbecued beef, pork, chicken, and other offerings. 

Batson says he’s currently a member of the Greater Spokane Food Truck Association, so his truck will make its debut this week at rotating locations around town. He also plans to attend other events throughout the summer, including Riverfront Eats, and Food Truck Fridays.

“Customers can find us more permanently located behind the old masonic temple at 3917 N. Wall,” he says. “We’ll also be available to cater special events, festivals, private parties, and weddings.” 

Batson is a Spokane native who has spent the past three years traveling and learning about barbecue cooking styles. 

He says he purchased the 40-foot-long food truck last October and completed improvements to it in June. 

Batson is the truck’s only employee so far, although he says his mother Kelly will also assist occasionally with serving food. 

“Owning a food truck is new to me,” he says. “But I knew I wanted to bring my experiences with barbecue to Spokane and teach people about how this style of cooking can bring communities together.” 

Batson says his food truck takes its name from that same idea. 

“It’s a play on words that really reflects the three things BBQ means to me,” he says. “Meat, eating, and meeting with or sharing the experience with people.”

Batson says the truck serves a variety of menu items including staples like beef brisket; beef ribs; tri-tips; chicken thighs; pulled chicken; pork ribs; pulled pork; and pork belly burnt ends. 

Batson says the truck’s menu also includes a rotating selection of sides including pasta salad, beans, mac’n’cheese, coleslaw, and honey sriracha brown sugar brussels sprouts.