Workers back here at Killen's steakhouse tell me this is no ordinary barbecue pit those thieves took. And they've launched a search for it that's getting a lot of attention from barbecue lovers across social media.
At Killen's Steakhouse in Pearland, here are dealing with a problem the size of a cow. A massive barbecue pit parked behind the South Main Street restaurant was stolen sometime late Thursday night or early Friday morning.
"We got in here, walked in there and went out the back and the barbecue pit is gone," Killen said.
Killen's the chef and owner of the award winning steakhouse. He says some unknown barbecue bandits took this 18-foot-long custom made barrel pit after popping its lock.
"It was huge. I mean the chamber and everything is about 9 foot by 36 inches. Really big pit, and obviously somebody is pulling it somewhere because it's on a trailer," Killen said.
That $8,000 pit was needed to make dozens of briskets, meat for Killen's popular and busy weekend barbecue popup events at his new location on Broadway.
"Every since I bought it, our moisture, tenderness -- everything has gotten better and better the more I've cooked on it," Killen said.
And with the massive barbecue pit mysteriously missing, Killen beefing up security and says the show must go on.
Right now, he's relying on industry friends to help him out with a loaner pit to get his briskets prepared. The staff says the stolen barbecue pit should be easy to spot. They just want the culprits to bring it back.
"You know, no questions asked. Bring me the pit, we're good," Killen said.
Right now, police are investigating the theft. But Killen's offering a $5,000 reward for the return of that stolen barbecue pit.
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