ARLINGTON, Texas — Smoking a perfect brisket takes hours. Knowing how to do it takes years.
That’s why even North Texas’ most revered pitmasters can’t believe who’s turning out top-notch food in Arlington.
“I mean he blew my mind really,” said Fasicka Hicks, co-owner of Arlington’s acclaimed Smoke ‘n Ash Barbecue.
Hicks says it took her and her husband years to get it right, but this one former employee came in smoking like a pit master even though he’s only 18.
Marc Fadel no longer works at Smoke ‘n Ash because he works for himself.
He opened his barbecue joint, Habibi Barbecue, which translates to ‘My Love’ in Lebanese, at Ghost Food Park in Arlington shortly after graduating high school last year.
His Lebanese fusion has gotten people talking.
“Almost everybody who comes and orders from us they’re like, ‘no way this kid’s 18,’” Fadel said.
It’s hard to believe, especially for Fadel.
A few years ago, he didn’t know anything about barbecue, but his high school had a barbecue team so he joined.
Soon after, he was featured on a reality show about high school barbecue. That experience turned into jobs at Smoke ‘n Ash and Hurtado Barbecue, which eventually lit a fire.
Every minute he had and every penny he made went back into cooking, sometimes at the expense of family.
“Grandma was really mad when I missed Easter,” Fadel said.
Nobody questions him now.
His food often sells out and Fadel says even though he’s pursuing a construction management degree at UT Arlington, he’s gotten a taste of his true calling.
“My goal is to make someone happy,” Fadel said. “I think barbecue is the best thing to do it. Something that takes love and care for hours can make more love and more happiness.”
That kind of outlook often takes time, for young people especially. But like a good brisket, Fadel is proving that he’s perfectly seasoned.
