Code 1 BBQ
Real BBQ. Real life. Real talk. Join our inner circle and follow the behind-the-scenes chaos of this husband-and-wife team running a veteran-owned, family operated BBQ joint. We dish out the real stuff, like how we show up every day without losing our minds, and share the kind of stories that only come from running a restaurant that never sleeps. Plus, find out what actually works when hosting a crowd, how to throw the best BBQ ever, and the tips and tricks that separate the pros from the pretenders. If you love good food and honest people, you’ll fit right
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Planning your buffet? The Psychology of a Buffet Layout: Serving Smarter, Not Harder
The Psychology of a Buffet Layout: Serving Smarter, Not Harder by Erica Marchant Follow Erica on Socials Code 1 BBQ I get it—you’re hosting an event, and the last thing you want is for guests to leave hungry, grumpy, or worse… talking about how they had to hit a drive-thru on the way home. I’ve felt that same pressure when planning a spread—wondering if there’s enough food, if guests will load up on one thing and ignore the rest, or if Uncle Bob is going to pile his plate so high with brisket...
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I Was Told It Was “All in My Head.” It Wasn’t. The Real Reason Code 1 Is Allergy Friendly.
by Chef Erica Marchant I Was Told It Was “All in My Head.” It Wasn’t. The Real Reason Code 1 Is Allergy Friendly. There’s a small card I carry in my wallet. It’s not a business card. It’s not a credit card. It’s an allergy card — a list of foods that can make me violently ill. Wheat. Soy. Eggs. Peanuts. Tree nuts. And then the curveballs: cabbage. Green beans. Rice. Apples. Any fruit with a core. I carry it because I have to. Because for most of my life, nobody believed me. Long before Code 1...
READ POSTThe Smoke Signal: Behind the Smoke: Life, BBQ, and Everything In Between
The Smoke Signal Code 1 DispatchIssue 4Behind the Smoke: Life, BBQ, and Everything In Between Hey BBQ Fam, The holidays are over. The decorations are down. The credit card statements are… sobering.And suddenly everyone is supposed to be eating cleaner, doing better, and magically having more energy than they did in December. Yeah. Sure. Winter has settled in, routines are creeping back, and the “new year, new me” motivation is already getting tested by dark afternoons and busy schedules....
READ POSTWe Earned 2026. Pressure forged us. Purpose moves us.
It's 2026! And we are ready to Seize the year... There’s something powerful about turning the page. Not because everything magically resets — but because you carry the lessons, the grit, and the growth with you into what’s next. 2025 taught us who we are under pressure. When the numbers were tight, the hours were long, and belief was the only thing keeping the doors open.2026 is about building with intention. Not just to get bigger, but to build something that lasts. What We’re Bringing Into...
READ POSTResending: Year End Updates 2025!
Chef Erica Marchant The Year-End Push (And a Whole Lot of Gratitude) As we push toward the end of the year, things are moving fast around here. And it's the good kind of fast. The kind that comes from working hard, staying focused, and showing up even when we’re tired. Especially when we’re tired. This time of year is always a mix of hustle and heart. We’re finishing strong, feeding a lot of people, and taking a minute to look around and say, “Wow… look how far we’ve come.” So here’s what you...
READ POSTGood BBQ Should Never Make You Feel Bad: How a Road Trip Sparked a BBQ Revolution
Chef Erica Marchant Long before Code 1 BBQ existed (before the smokers, the sauces, the customers, the chaos) it was just two newlyweds in a beat-up car chasing the promise of good BBQ across New England. Back then, real BBQ spots were rare up here. When we found one, it felt like discovering treasure. Until we tasted it. Some places were okay. Some were bland. Some were all smoke and no soul. And some loaded their food with so much junk — preservatives, additives, cheap oils — that I’d feel...
READ POSTHoliday Hosting Hack #1: Don’t Cook Everything Yourself
Chef Erica Marchant Hey BBQ Fam! Holiday parties are coming in hot… but you don’t have to melt down with them. Our Holiday Catering Menu is here, and it’s loaded with the comfort classics people talk about until January. In addition, all our regular catering items are available too! Work party, family dinner, neighborhood gathering — we’ve got you. Start ordering, and get hungry. 🎄🔥 DINE IN with us or Ask About Catering Today! Thank you for joining us on our journey! Have a beautiful week....
READ POSTWarning: Holiday Shopping Without BBQ May Cause Crankiness
Chef Erica Marchant Eat First. Shop Happy. Stress Less. Let’s be honest:We all do the Shuffle. You roll through town to return that TJ Maxx impulse buy from June (we all know the one), swing by Savers to drop off the bag of “stuff I swear I’ll donate this week,” pop into Dollar Tree for one thing (lies… pure lies), and the next thing you know you’re starving, cranky, and questioning all your life choices. We can fix that. Start your day at Code 1 BBQ, right here at 228 Main St. A warm meal, a...
READ POSTWe Might be Missing Summer, Just a Little
Chef Erica Marchant “Veteran-owned. Woman-run. Family operated. BBQ done right.” Hey BBQ Fam! We know it's getting cold out, so lets take a moment to remember this past summer, where BBQ brought people together in unforgettable ways. Here are some of the moments that remind us why we do what we do BBQ isn’t just food. It’s comfort, connection, and celebration on a plate. This summer, our catering team had the honor of being part of some incredible moments: weddings, birthdays, corporate...
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