Latin Soul BBQ Brings a Bold Twist to Rhode Island’s Culinary Pop-Up Scene

What began as a COVID pivot project, Latin Soul BBQ has gone from popping up around the state with Latin-inspired BBQ to finding a summer home base at Foolproof Brewing Company in Pawtucket. "I was laid off during COVID and always wanted to do something on my own," says founder Jose Rodrigo. He started small, selling plates out of his apartment, and quickly grew into the pop-up space in 2022 to reach a larger audience. Today Rodrigo is fully committed to his BBQ dreams. "I wanted to do something a little different but still familiar so people wouldn’t stray away."

Inspired by his love for cookouts and passion for smoking meats, Rodrigo masterfully blends BBQ with Latin flavors to craft a menu that is both inventive and comforting, in which he channels his efforts into perfecting four specialties. "The most popular item is the Smash Burger, seasoned with the Latin spices I grew up with," Rodrigo shares. The menu also includes the Chopped Brisket Sandwich, smoked the previous day and doused in ancho-BBQ sauce; Grilled Wings tossed in Peri Peri sauce and the Latin Dog wrapped in bacon.

Teaming up with Foolproof has been pivotal for Latin Soul BBQ's success. "After talking with Casey [Wright], the manager at Foolproof, it was an easy decision. They wanted to help us grow and gave us the opportunity to cook there every Saturday through the summer," Rodrigo says. To complete the backyard grilling experience, he set up shop on the outdoor patio and started serving summer BBQ fare. 

Running a pop-up BBQ comes with challenges. "The biggest issue so far is the weather. We have a tent, but rain isn't our friend," Rodrigo admits. Looking ahead beyond summer, he hopes to find a bar with an open kitchen to partner with next, where he’ll be able to continue to expand his menu and reach. In the meantime, he relays that seeing people enjoy his food and having family support at pop-ups has been incredibly gratifying. "My family drives from Newport to attend most of the pop-ups and support me. I couldn’t be happier." To experience Latin Soul BBQ, visit Foolproof Brewing Company every Saturday through September. Follow on Instagram at  @LatinSoulBBQ.