FERNLEY, NEVADA (SEPTEMBER, 2013) – When Gordon Hodapp started smoking in 2005, the whole city of Fernley rejoiced. Now, eight years later, he smokes more than ever before.
And citizens couldn’t be happier.
Never are there so many happy hearts in Fernley, Nevada, as when Gordon’s Backyard BBQ & Catering food rig pulls in with their Southern Pride Woodburning Smokers for a full day of barbeque, ribs, and happiness.
“I get hit up everywhere I go,” owner Gordon Hodapp said. “’When are you going to be out? I need some ribs,’ they say. I credit our success to my Southern Pride smokers.”
Hodapp began business in 2005 with a 28 ft. mobile kitchen and one SPX 500 smoker. Today he uses both the SPX 500 and SP 1000 smokers to cater everything from family reunions and company picnics to rehearsal dinners and weddings.
“When you’re using quality machinery like Southern Pride, you’re going to get quality products,” Hodapp said.
Gordon’s Backyard BBQ and Catering has left its mark on pallets and places all over the southwest with mouth-watering barbeque, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and brisket. Hodapp confessed that his favorite compliments come from out-of-state visitors.
“Texans order what they know best, and our brisket impresses them,” Hodapp said. “It makes me proud because we’re breaking into a whole new market.”
Gordon’s continues to break sales records and caters for over 40 clients each year. Hodapp has also competed and placed in several smoking contests, including American Royal Barbeque Contest and Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational.
“Southern Pride was our choice, and I’m so glad it was,” Hodapp said.
“The growth we’ve seen is incredible,” Hodapp said. “My Southern Prides have never let me down.”
No matter the altitude, temperature or weather, Hodapp says his Southern Pride smokers remain consistent, reliable and essential.
As for his smoking addiction, we’re happy to say that there is no cure in sight.
Southern Pride was founded in 1976 when Mike Robertson and his father, B.B., hand built and marketed their first rotisserie and smoker. Today, some 20,000 rotisseries and smokers later, Southern Pride laser cuts, bends and forms their own stainless steel and assembles every element of the cookers, still by hand in their 117,000 square foot manufacturing headquarters in Alamo, TN.
