Beloved West Texas Fair BBQ Pit Stolen from Local Business in Abilene

Texans love their BBQ. So, it hits home when another grillmaster gets their stuff jacked. Such is the case in Abilene, where a BBQ pit built by the hands of a father and son duo was stolen.

Have You Seen This BBQ Pit?

A custom-built BBQ pit smoker was stolen from the property at 1699 N Treadaway Blvd, the longtime home of The Original LITTLE JOE MOVERS. But this ain’t just any smoker. This pit was handcrafted in 1999 by Joe M Leal and his son, and it’s been a smoke-blazing staple at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo.

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If you've ever sunk your teeth into brisket that practically melted in your mouth at the fair, chances are, the fire of this very pit kissed it.

Joey Leal, who owns the pit, posted about the theft on his Facebook page to help find the pit and the person who stole it.

The Leals aren’t taking this lying down. They’re offering a reward for any information leading to the recovery of the pit and the identification of those responsible. They’ve also vowed to pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

Let’s stand together, Abilene. If you’ve seen anything suspicious or have any leads, now’s the time to speak up. This pit represents more than barbecue, it’s a symbol of family, hard work, and West Texas pride. Let’s see if we can help bring it home.