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You Asked: Where Can I Find the Best Local BBQ for a Family Gathering?

A few of you have asked about this. You have family coming into town, or maybe a birthday or a reunion, and you want BBQ that works for a crowd without being a hassle.

I get it. BBQ is the unofficial food of Texas gatherings.

But finding the right place in Mesquite means balancing price, portion size, and parking. Here is what the locals tell me.

For a big group, start with Smoky D's BBQ on Pioneer Road. They do family packs that feed 8 to 10 people for around $60.

The brisket is solid, and their potato salad actually tastes like someone made it from scratch. Call them a day ahead for large orders, they can get slammed on weekends.

If you want something a little different, try the new spot, Brisket & Biscuit, off of Interstate 30. They opened last year and already have a following.

Their pulled pork is the star. But the real gem is the banana pudding.

It comes in a huge tray that will make you the hero of the dessert table. For a smaller group, say 6 people or less, Ray's BBQ on Galloway Avenue is the hidden gem.

No frills, just meat and sides. The ribs fall off the bone, and they have a drive-through window.

That matters when you have kids in the car who are already asking if you are there yet. A quick tip.

Most of these places close early on Sundays, so plan your pickup for Saturday afternoon. That way you can enjoy the meal and not spend the day cooking.

Your family will thank you. Next up, we will talk about something for the business owners reading this.

A number to call if you need a little help keeping things going.

💯

Why This Coffee Shop on Town East Is More Than Just a Place for Caffeine

The bell above the door jingles, and you step into the smell of fresh coffee and warm sugar. A woman at the counter laughs with the barista about her kid’s soccer game last night.

Someone at a corner table is sketching on a napkin, and an older man is reading the paper, sipping his black coffee slowly. This is Brew & Gather on Town East Boulevard.

It’s not flashy. But on any given morning, you will find a mix of retirees, remote workers, and high school kids sharing the same space.

That’s the thing about a good local spot. It doesn’t just serve drinks.

It holds the community together. The owners, Maria and Carlos Reyes, took over the shop two years ago.

They didn’t want to just pour espresso. They wanted a place where people actually knew each other.

So they started a “pay it forward” board where customers could buy a drink for a stranger. Now that board is always full.

Some weeks, there are more prepaid coffees than paid ones. Last month, when a nearby bakery had a fire and lost a week of sales, Brew & Gather let them set up a pop-up in the corner.

Customers bought pastries by the dozen to help out. The bakery survived that week because of it.

That’s the kind of thing that happens here. Not because anyone planned it.

But because people look out for each other. And when one business struggles, the rest show up.

Next up, we will look at how Maria and Carlos turned a slow season into something that brought the whole block together. It is a story about resilience, and it might give you an idea for your own shop.

How One Business Owner Turned a Struggle Into a Win for Everyone

June hit Brew & Gather like a wall. The school year ended, and suddenly the morning rush of parents dropping kids off disappeared.

By 9 a.m.

, the shop was empty. Maria told me she stood behind the counter watching the door not open for almost an hour.

She started running numbers in her head. Rent, payroll, the new espresso machine they were still paying off.

It didn't look good. Carlos wanted to cut hours and send staff home early.

But Maria had a different idea. She picked up the phone and called three other small businesses on the block.

There was a flower shop two doors down that always had extra blooms. A taco truck that parked in the lot on weekends.

And a vintage clothing store that had been struggling with foot traffic too. She proposed a block party.

Nothing fancy. Just tables on the sidewalk, some string lights, and a Saturday afternoon where everyone brought what they had.

The flower shop did arrangements for centerpieces. The taco truck parked out front and sold $3 tacos.

The vintage store set up a rack of clothes on the sidewalk. And Brew & Gather made cold brew by the gallon.

They called it the Town East Block Bash. No permits, no sponsors, no stress.

Just neighbors. More than 200 people showed up.

Families with strollers, couples on dates, kids running around with popsicles. Every single business on the block saw a bump in sales that day.

But the real win came after. Two of the businesses started a weekly cross-promotion.

Buy a taco, get a dollar off your coffee. Spend $20 at the vintage shop, get a free flower bouquet.

They turned a slow season into a shared audience. And none of them had to do it alone.

Next up, we will look at what is happening around Mesquite this month, starting with Juneteenth celebrations you won't want to miss.

Mark Your Calendar: Juneteenth Celebrations and More This Month

The Town East Block Bash showed what happens when businesses work together. That same spirit shows up across Mesquite this month, especially during Juneteenth.

The city has a full slate of events starting with the Juneteenth Parade on Saturday, June 13th. It kicks off at 10 a.

m. along Main Street near City Hall.

Bring chairs and a cooler. The Mesquite Juneteenth Festival follows at the Recreation Center on Gross Road from noon to 6 p.

m. There will be live music, food vendors, and a kids zone with bounce houses.

Local historians will give short talks about the holiday's meaning. On June 19th, the Mesquite Arts Council is hosting a poetry and spoken word night at the Library.

It starts at 7 p.m.

and it is free. Seats fill up fast, so get there early.

Beyond Juneteenth, the Mesquite Farmer's Market runs every Saturday through September at the Town Center. Fresh produce, local honey, and homemade salsa.

Open from 8 a.m.

to noon. The City Council also meets on Tuesday, June 16th at 6:30 p.

m. at City Hall.

They are discussing the new park plans for the east side. If you want a say in what gets built, this is your chance.

These events work best when you show up. Mark your calendar, grab your family or a neighbor, and be part of what makes Mesquite feel like home.

Next up, we will answer a question several of you have been asking. Where do you find the best local BBQ for a family gathering without breaking the bank?

If Your Business Needs a Boost, Here's a Number to Call

The last few sections have been about businesses helping each other. About block parties and shared audiences and showing up for your neighbors.

But sometimes, you need more than a good idea. Sometimes you need actual capital.

I am talking to the shop owners reading this. The ones who have been doing the work day in and day out, but feel stuck.

Maybe your oven is on its last leg. Maybe you need to hire another part time person before the summer rush hits.

Or maybe you just need breathing room to get through a slow month. That is not a failure.

That is business. Every single successful owner I know has been in that spot.

The good news is that help is available right here in Mesquite. You do not have to drive to Dallas or fill out endless online forms with faceless lenders.

Call 469-273-6185. That number connects you to people who understand local businesses.

They know what it is like when your roof leaks during a rainstorm and you have to close for a day. They know that a $5,000 loan can mean the difference between restocking shelves or shutting down.

This is not a sales pitch. It is a resource for our community.

If you need funding, growth help, or just someone to talk through your numbers with, make the call. No pressure, no obligation.

Just a conversation. You can also visit mesquitelocalscoop.

com for more information. Because this town works best when every business has a fair shot

DFW's go-to growth consulting firm for business owners ready to stop working in their business and start building one that runs without them. We specialize in business funding ($25K–$250K), AI marketing automation, GoHighLevel CRM builds, and lead generation systems for home service contractors and small business owners across the Metroplex. Book a free strategy call today — no fluff, just a real conversation about what it takes to scale.
📞 Call or Text: (469) 273-6185
🔗https://brownbagconsultant.com/

Mixing mesquite flour with regular flour can enhance the nutty and slightly sweet flavor of baked goods.

Before You Go: A Quick Way to Stay in the Loop

Thanks for reading this far. I know your time is valuable, and I do not take it for granted.

The stories you just read are not random. They are happening right now on streets you drive every day.

Maria and Carlos are still pouring coffee at Brew & Gather. Smoky D's is still slicing brisket.

And that block party sparked something that is spreading to other parts of town. That is the whole point of this newsletter.

To keep you connected to the people and places that make Mesquite worth living in. If you enjoyed this edition, there is more where it came from.

Every week, I share a local business story, a community event you should know about, and answers to questions you actually asked. No fluff.

No ads for things you do not care about. Just real stories about your neighbors and your town.

You can get it delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing at mesquitelocalscoop.com.

It is free, and it takes about 30 seconds. Think of it as your weekly reminder that you belong to something bigger than your own block.

Because you do. See you next Friday.

And if you run into Maria at Brew & Gather, tell her I sent you. She might just put a coffee on the pay it forward board with your name on it.

🏆 We're Spotlighting Local Businesses Every Week

Know a business in Mesquite that deserves recognition? We're featuring one local business every single week — completely free. Just reply to this email with their name and we'll reach out personally.

Let's build something for this city. Together. See you tomorrow. — KTB