The oil bust has taken its toll on the energy business, of course, but it’s also been hard for all kinds of businesses frequented by people who make their living in oil and gas. That includes a legendary barbecue joint that’s down, but not out.
Where there’s smoke, there’s Daniel Vaughn, barbecue editor for Texas Monthly. He told Texas Standard host David Brown that Pody’s BBQ in Pecos, Texas expected to lose business because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But owner Israel “Pody” Campos found that the faltering energy economy was hurting the restaurant, too.
Pecos residents weren’t shocked by the current bust, Vaughn said.
“He does see that the people in Pecos, because of previous busts, are more prepared,” Vaughn said of Campos. “They’ve sort of gotten their houses in order – their own personal economics in order – and they weren’t going through life as if this bust wasn’t going to come.”
What you’ll hear in this segment:
– How Pody’s business is organized around the eating patterns of energy industry workers
– How the economic downturn has allowed Campus to get to know locals better
– Why Campus expects Pody’s will survive
Web story by Shelly Brisbin.
