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Robin is the key to this whole story. She’s our slice of sunny Texas among the overcast Cumbrian fells.
Born into a family of fierce barbeque enthusiasts in Taylor, Texas, smoke pits, BBQ competitions and rodeo shows filled her young life as a proud member of the Hurta clan.
With many members of this deeply Texan family holding the venerated title of ‘pitmaster’, the Hurtas have become synonymous with really good barbeque.
Watch our video to find out more of our story.
Back in Texas, there is never an occasion, no matter how small, that isn’t celebrated with a proper Texan cookout. If there’s a birthday, graduation, or even just some extra fine weather, you’ll likely find a Hurta staying up through the night to tend to a smoker full of meat. Needless to say, everyone wants an invitation to a Hurta party.
Fast forward to 2013, Robin is living in the English Lake District with her Lancashire-born and bred husband and their three children. During a trip to her homeland, she came to the realisation that her now rather English life could do with a bit more of a Texan flair. It was high time that she showed folks back home how to celebrate like a Hurta.
Pappy (Robin’s dad) and Michael (her husband) designed and built Robin’s first trailer-sized smoker – going all over the northwest with their pit in tow.
The following year, Pappy passed away. At the root of it, this business has always been a celebration of his life and legacy. Pappy’s Texas BBQ is built upon the knowledge and traditions passed down to Robin and her family through generations of passionate pitmasters.
Pappy’s quickly outgrew their trailer pit, moving into Kendal’s old smokehouse – once used to smoke ham and bacon in the 19th century. Now, this lovingly restored space is kitted out with custom-made, commercial-sized pits that husband Michael, a builder by trade, built and adapted himself.
We started off supplying wholesale meats to businesses all over the country and catering all kinds of events, including festivals, weddings, corporate and private events. In 2018, we began holding a number of pop-up restaurants in various locations around the South Lakes, soon realising that the locals loved experiencing a slice of tasty Texas so close to home.
2020 saw the onset of a global pandemic and a change of direction for Pappy’s. The commercial trade and events soon stopped and so began Pappy’s at Home and our Texan Takeout. This became so popular that as soon as we were able to, we opened our outdoor dining experience – Pappy’s Smokehouse Bar & Grill. Now a firm favourite for the locals in Kendal and those visiting the area wanting to experience Pappy’s Texas BBQ, it’s open nearly all year round, serving up our signature Texan smoked meats!
Well in the summer of 2022, we spread our Texan wings a little further – just down the alleyway to be exact and opened Pappy’s Taco Bar where we use the smoked meats that our customers know and love and combine them with signature Mexican flavours to create a tex-mex taste but not as you know it!
