Meet Phil Martin | BBQ Pitmaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Phil Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Phil, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I grew up in Colorado, but my parents are from Lake City, SC. Growing up, my dad and uncles did a lot of bbqing, so I was exposed to real bbq at a young age. When I moved to Los Angeles in 2007, the first thing I looked for was some good bbq. Sadly, I couldn’t find any. After being disappointed multiple times, I decided that if I want to eat bbq, I’ll do it myself. Once my new LA friends and family tasted mine, they were the ones who suggested that I start a business. That was 2008. It took until 2017 for me to get the courage to take the plunge. My thought process was simple. Make the best bbq that anyone has ever tasted. Keep it simple, keep it basic, jut make it good!

What should our readers know about your business?
Black Cat BBQ is a catering service that specializes in Southern BBQ. We make “Smoked Meats and Southern Eats”. What sets us apart is our connection to farmers markets. Our recipes are simple, but we use only the freshest and finest ingredients possible. Our bbq starts with only prime cuts of meat, fresh herbs and spices, and no preservatives. Everything on the menu is made by me and me alone. The recipes were conceived and created by either me or my family. I only make food that I think tastes good. So our quality is unmatched. I don’t have any professional culinary training or experience, I just know how to cook, period.

I got to this level of success through old fashioned hard work and word of mouth. I don’t have anybody helping me with marketing. I do all of my own social media posts. I send out weekly emails to customers that have taken on a life of their own. Most business books will tell you that a 5% open rate is good for emails. I usually have a 60-70% open rate, and that’;s every week. Some people tell me that I run my business like a maniac because I tell people everything about myself. I love to talk and I love to meet new people. I’m not just selling bbq, I’m selling happy feelings. You can’t have comfort food without comfort. People have to feel as though you genuinely care about them and you can’t fake the funk. People can smell a rat. so, you have to be sinccere. If you don’t like people, don’t start a business in the service industry!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I like to show people parts of LA that are unique. LA is known for Hollywood, so I always like to show people the Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Academy Museum, the Grammy Museum, Rodeo Drive, and places that they’ve seen in movies. I also show people some of the more macabre sites, like the Mansion houses in Beverly Hills and Los Feliz, Chateau Marmot, the Viper Room, etc. I’ve had frinds and family who have been to LA many times and they never got to see those places.

For food, I’m taking them to Pinks, the Stinking Rose, Dulan’s on Crenshaw, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Randy’s Donuts, or a street taco vendor in East LA. And of course, I’m taking them to the Beverly Hills Farmers Market. There is always a celebrity or 2 in my line.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout the city of Beverly Hills. The first thing that I did as a business was to reach out to the Beverly Hills Farmers Market. I sent an email asking to join their market and they responded with a yes in within 10 minutes. No lie. They didn’t know me. Nobody vouched for me. They just took a chance on an actual nobody. Couple that with the support that they have given me from that moment until now, it’s mind blowing. They put out a sign to announce my arrival 2 weeks before my start date. They guided me through the health permitting process. They helped me shape my menu, because I wasn’t making brisket before they suggested it. They talked me up to all of the regulars and subsequently, I had a line on my first day. They did me right! Shoutout to Greta Dunlap, the retired market manager!

Website: https://blackcatbbq.com

Instagram: @blackcatbbqla

Twitter: @blaackcatbbqla

Facebook: @blackcatbbqla

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/black-cat-bbq-los-angeles-2

Image Credits
Helen Kavac
Anastasia Tupikina