Little Bit of Soul

What began as a pandemic pivot project, Latin Soul BBQ has gone from popping up around the state 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 owner Jose Rodrigo. He started small, selling plates out of his apartment, and quickly grew into the pop-up scene in 2022 to reach a larger audience. Today Rodrigo is fully committed to his barbecue dreams. “I wanted to do something a little different but still familiar so people wouldn’t stray away,” he continues.

Channeling his love for cookouts and passion for smoking meats, Rodrigo masterfully blends barbecue with Latin flavors to craft a menu that is both inventive and comforting. He’s perfected four specialties that now appear on the pop-up menu. “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-barbecue 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 barbecue fare.

Running a pop-up barbecue business 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, 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, Rodrigo relays that seeing people enjoy his food and having family support at pop-ups has been incredibly gratifying. “My family drives from