× Expand By Courtney Dabney Ernest Morales, left, and Chris Magallanes, right, co-owners of Panther City BBQ, are in the soft-opening stages of their permanent location, located next door to Republic Street Bar at 201 E. Hattie St.

Chris Magallanes and Ernest Morales, co-owners of Panther City BBQ, officially decommissioned their trusty trailer this week.

They are now in the soft-opening stages of their permanent location, located next door to Republic Street Bar at 201 E. Hattie St. The grand opening of the new open-air, backyard-style restaurant is sure to bring out barbecue fanatics from far and wide. It is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12.

Some locations seem to be cursed, turning over a series of restaurants in rapid succession, like the Montgomery Plaza spot where Bourbon Street Oyster was the most recent casualty. But, for whatever reason, some locations defy all logic and turn out repetitive hits, like the parking lot of Republic Street Bar.

When Heim Barbecue opened their trailer during the blizzard of February 2015, who could have imagined the lines that would form, the word-of-mouth hysteria that would garner so much attention, or the two beautiful brick-and-mortar locations that would spin off in rapid succession?

Then lightning struck again for another barbecue start-up at the exact same location ― Panther City BBQ set up their trailer on that same hallowed ground in January 2018.

× Expand By Courtney Dabney Three smokers have dramatically improved capacity, and the kitchen has added enough elbow room to expand the menu offerings as well.

The lines and the buzz soon swirled again, but with the South Main Street explosion underway nearby, this time Panther City’s owners decided to bloom where they were planted, and announced the construction of a permanent structure about 10 months ago.

The slant-roof, covered patio area called Smoke Pavilion now provides shaded picnic seating on two levels. With room for 64 people below and 46 on the top patio, patrons will have it made in the shade.

Republic Street Bar received a facelift as well, and you can still choose to purchase your barbecue and dine inside with air-conditioning and access to a full bar (so Panther City BBQ has no need for its own liquor license).

The caged smokehouse now sports three smokers, dramatically improving capacity, and the kitchen has added enough elbow room to expand the menu offerings as well. “We used to turn out between 15 and 23 briskets per day,” Magallanes says. “Now we can smoke 35 to 40.”

The menu at Panther City BBQ will be doubled at the grand opening. Magallanes is remaining tight-lipped on the “secret” additions, but did divulge one new item ― Jalapeno Cheese Grits. While their smoked brisket remains the star of the show, fans can rely on other favorites like Panther City’s Pork Belly Poppers, Smoked Wings, and Elote to remain on the menu. “The elote is our spin on Mexican street corn, topped with chopped brisket and queso fresco,” he says.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or until sold out, Thursday through Sunday. They will also be adding Wednesday hours soon, and plan to cook steaks and host cooking classes in the near future thanks to the new set up.