It was July 4th weekend, 1980, and the Strickland Family was, again, tied to the family business for another typical holiday rush. Their country store, “Stricks,” was a hot spot for gasoline, groceries, fresh produce, some of the best fried chicken in the south, a little smoked sausage from the nearby smokehouse, and a few fireworks during special holidays. Strick decided to bring the grill from home and cook a few ribs and chicken for the family while they worked so they could celebrate the holiday weekend also, and that’s when it all started.

He cooked a few extra slabs of ribs and few extra chickens and put them in the counter next to their already popular fried chicken. It was gone in no time. Customers kept asking, “when are you going to cook some more of that great bar-b-q?” It then became a weekend tradition and people came from miles away to try some of what everyone was talking about. “It was all we could do just to keep up with the demand.”

Well, about 30 years later, a few more grills and a lot more help, they’re still celebrating holidays at their business. But, in return, “Stricks” has become a tradition in the South with great food and a catering service that can feed thousands. From BBQ Ribs and BBQ Chicken to Smoked Brisket, Pork, Ham, Turkey, and Sausage, great Southern Fried Chicken and the best Hot Boiled Crawfish in town during the season.