Northgate Field

Lone Star- Barbeque, Jeff

By Lou Christine You can taste the love!

Jeff Cyr’s Long Star Barbeque, in mid-Warrenton, is a 30-year fixture at the show but more importantly doubles as a pit stop for those interested in lip smacking BBQ. Lone Star BBQ also serves as one of the unofficial nerve centers at the show, a place one can find out just what is going on.

Reared in and around Jackson, Texas, Cyr isn’t quite so sure how he got into the BBQ business other than as a kid he professes he was pretty handy around the kitchen and he happened upon a BBQ pit 35 years. With an interest in cooking and as a people person Cyr began hosting his BBQs parties but soon got recommended and was catering private parties and events.

A friend of his invited him to attend the Warrenton Show 30 years ago. He BBQ-ed for one show at Rose of Texas but then was offered a place up the road a piece towards Warrenton Grocery and has been there ever since.

The 58-year-old obviously knows his meat and plus possesses a knack when it comes to preparation. When asked about his know-how Cyr’s answer zeroed in on quality product and consistency. “There is a lot more to BBQ-ing four slabs of brisket at once than just plopping them on the pit. A lot of work goes into it,” says the red head. Then Cyr adds his magic rubbing in the herbs and spices he has perfected over a BBQ man’s career.

Off show Cyr has been residing in the Florida Keys and these days North Carolina. But he’s always drawn back to Warrenton.

Cyr takes his craft seriously and isn’t satisfied just by hawking a cattle car’s worth of sandwiches but more so, sharing delicious and perfectly cooked brisket. Not shy about it, Cyr says, “I take great pride in my work. We make everything from scratch including our BBQ-sauce and baked beans. We also sell good-sized chicken sandwiches and hot dogs and standard hamburgers. The latest entrée on the menu is our “street corn.”

Cyr confesses how touched he is at the number of total strangers pulling him aside at the show praising his product. “Some come from the BBQ capitols of the nation like Tennessee and North Carolina and still heap praise.

Figure, when you’re going over 60 shows, an hombre has had a lot of sidekicks. Jeff has had his share and these days the precocious Chihuahua Hobo is Jeff’s. If Jeff is Cisco, Hobo is Pancho. Stop off and see these guys and do be hungry.