Aug. 19, 2021

A new food truck features barbecue recipes crafted over the years in competition and workshops.

Zach Bauer, the younger half of the father-son duo of Holy Smokes Barbeque, has started 605 Barbecue Co. with a couple of business partners.

While a majority of the business likely will be catering private gatherings, 605 Barbecue will take bookings for public events and will do a few pop-up appearances, Bauer said.

The first one is Sunday at Ace Hardware in Harrisburg, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or sooner if the food sells out. Notice for future pop-ups and public events will be posted on 605 Barbecue’s Facebook page. 

“We all have full-time jobs, so it’s kind of our side thing for weekends and evenings,” said Bauer, who’s a graphic designer and also the church planter and pastor at Red Door Church.

His dad, Paul, will be involved in helping out with the food truck, and they’ll continue to teach workshops under the Holy Smokes name.

Father-son duo builds barbecue business

While Bauer has been busy the past few weeks finishing the build-out on the new trailer, a custom-built smoker for the deck hasn’t arrived yet.

It’s a rotisserie-style, offset smoker coming from Missouri that will create 605’s signature barbecue with hickory and oak for the wood fire. Until the new smoker arrives, 605 Barbecue will use Holy Smokes’ setup.

“We call it authentic low-and-slow barbecue,” Bauer said. “Our meat is cooked like Texas-style original, authentic style, low and slow for hours and get that really good smoke, depth of flavor into the meat.”

While pulled pork sandwiches and loaded Dorachos – Doritos topped with pulled pork, queso, beans and barbecue sauce – will be staples on the menu, chopped chicken and chopped brisket sandwiches will be offered occasionally.

The pulled pork also will be offered on mac-and-cheese. Loaded quarter-pound hot dogs will have pulled pork and mac-and-cheese. Sides include Badland Beans and Dakota Slaw, which includes corn for a 605 twist.

“Our unique thing that we’re going to try to see if people like it is smoked Spam burnt ends,” Bauer said.

Catering specialties include ribs and brisket.

“A lot of groups right now are requesting a full cater but come and serve as a food truck, and people can come up and order whatever they want menu-wise, so we’ll do anything from ribs to wings to lollipop chicken to brisket.”

605 Barbecue also offers an option for block party-type events that includes setting up inflatables for kids to enjoy.

For Bauer, barbecue is more than just food to fill a stomach.

“I say this all the time when we do our barbecue classes. I always tell people that barbecue is so much more than just food or fire or smoke. Barbecue has something in it that draws people, and it builds community. No matter where you’re at and where you’re parked, even when I’m parked in my neighborhood, it just draws people. Those valuable conversations, it’s like people become family around barbecue. So we love that idea that barbecue brings people to the table, kind of builds community. And so obviously good food but also opportunity to experience what barbecue really is, so it’s kind of our heart.”

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