Local BBQ Sauce Hits Major Milestone

PALMETTO –  Locally-owned E’s Best Barbecue has reached a milestone. In only 18 months, E’s Best Barbecue Killer and Smoky Finishing Sauces are now available at 50 individual retailers across 5 southeastern states. A diverse mix of meat shops, independent grocers, gourmet shops, hardware stores, farmers markets, and gift shops are now carrying the savory sauces, demonstrating the power of small business to small business enterprise.

Elmer with Palmetto Meat Shop's Roger Talbot

The most recent additions to the E’s Best family of Florida retailers include Mazarro’s Italian Market in St. Petersburg, Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton, Southern Steer Butcher in Clearwater, Crescent Beach Grocery in Siesta Key, Geier’s Sausage Kitchen in Sarasota, Herman’s Meats in Venice, Beef Country Butcher in Port Charlotte, and Pitmasters Depot in Tampa.

Another retailer was recently added in North Carolina, Reids Fine Foods in Charlotte. Myakka Outpost Gift Shop at the Myakka River State Park east of Sarasota, FL, became E’s Best’s 50th retailer on November 14.

The sixth bottling for E’s Best is scheduled for late November and will also include bulk quantities in 1 gallon sizes, which a number of retailers will utilize the sauces in their in-store meat preparations. A recent event at Southern Steer Butcher sold an estimated 75 pounds of beef tips marinated in “Killer” and 3 cases of E’s Best sauce during the tasting.

Elmer (“E”) and Jan Hilker began their barbecue sauce venture in May 2012 after E was laid off from his communications job at a defense contractor. Since then, he spends each day calling on and servicing a growing number of retailers. Jan & E spend each weekend promoting their products at tasting events, helping retailers move inventory and generating new E’s Best customers.

“We are thankful for the relationships we have with each small business across the southeast. When they say ‘yes’ to our sauces in their locations, they receive an ongoing personal commitment from us to make our products successful for them. That genuine interest and commitment is why I think we continue to grow at such a rapid pace,” said Elmer Hilker.

E’s Best is dedicated to demonstrating and upholding Christian principles. A share of proceeds from every bottle of sauce sold supports Christian outreach ministries. For a full list of retailers and more information, visit www.ebestbarbecue.com or contact info@ebestbarbecue.com.