Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q

BY JESSIE SHOOK

When Robert Gibson began cooking barbecue on the weekends for his family in Decatur, he’d probably be surprised to know that 95 years later his family would still be following in his footsteps. Robert, better known as “Big Bob Gibson,” had the idea to leave his everyday job with the L&N railroad and open a restaurant, which is now known as Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.

“He made his very own hand-dug pit and when hickory-smoke pork and chicken aromas filled the air, crowds started to venture over from all over,” said Jacob Lilly, Big Bob Gibson’s Manager and fifth generation pitmaster.

Jacob and Andrew Lilly are brothers and the fifth generation to follow in their great-great-grandfather’s footsteps. Andrew said that he was always involved since an early age, even before he was old enough to work in the restaurant.

“I started working at the restaurant in high school on the potato bar, and I did pretty much every job in the restaurant and then started working the barbecue pits,” Andrew said. “After learning the ins and outs of each job and graduating college, I took on a bigger role in management and the business aspect.”

Andrew stated that the hard work that his family has put into this business makes it so important to carry on the Big Bob legacy for the next generations to come. “It’s really special to be a part of a family-owned business that has been around for five generations,” said Andrew. “I get to work alongside my grandfather, father and brother every day.”

Big Bob Gibson's is famous for their chicken and white sauce.

According to Jacob, the employees are what makes Big Bob’s unique. The business has employees that are second and third generation pie makers and pitmasters. Some servers have worked at Big Bob’s for eight to ten years. “It’s in their blood just as much as my brother and me,” said Jacob.

Big Bob Gibson’s was established in 1925 and to this day still uses the same techniques as Big Bob, himself. “Our chicken and white sauce are unique because we still cook them on a brick-style pit with hickory wood as fuel just like Big Bob himself did,” said Jacob.

Big Bob’s serves pulled pork, smoked turkey breast, beef brisket, barbecue spareribs, barbecue chicken and smoked chicken wings daily and has four sauces that are served at the restaurant. Those sauces include their famous White Sauce, Championship Red Sauce, Habanero Red Sauce and Backyard Mustard Sauce.

Big Bob's ribs are seasoned with their signature dry rub and slow smoked with hickory wood.

Big Bob Gibson's homemade pies are made from scratch and baked fresh every day.

Andrew Lilly (left) and his brother Jacob Lilly (right) are fifth generation pitmasters and are now Managers at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que.

Big Bob’s white sauce has been passed down from generation to generation. “It has intrigued so many people from all over the world because at first they don’t even know what to think about it,” said Jacob.

The restaurant is also known for its homemade pies that range from coconut, chocolate, lemon icebox, peanut butter and pecan. “The motto is you can’t leave without getting a slice of pie because it will always make you want to come back for more,” said Jacob. “Our pies are unique because they are made every morning starting at 5 a.m. from our pie ladies who were taught by their moms.”

Jacob stated that the day before Thanksgiving is their biggest pie day and each year, they try to break the record for most pies sold. In 2019, the two locations sold 700 pies, breaking the 2018 record by 20 pies.

Big Bob’s also participates in barbecue competitions three to four times a year. “We have been competing for 24 years,” stated Jacob. In 1996, Jacob and Andrew’s dad, Chris Lilly, decided to start doing competitions which later changed what Big Bob’s is today.

Big Bob’s participates in Kansas City Barbecue Society competitions and an independent competition known as Memphis in May, which is the largest pork competition in the nation.

Participating in competitions has grown the Big Bob name overall. Between 1996-2019 Big Bob’s won grand champion five times at the Memphis in May competition and has came in first 11 times in the Whole Shoulder category. Jacob said this led to sponsors such as Kingsford Charcoal, Yeti Coolers and Smithfield Pork.

Between the time-tested recipes, passion for barbecue and family, there is much more to come for this barbecue legacy. “For the future, who knows ... a Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q could possibly be opening up near you,” said Jacob. You will now be able to order Big Bob Gibson’s famous barbecue from wherever you are in the U.S. by visiting www.goldbelly.com.