Photo of Fatboy's BBQ in Cooper.

If you've ever wanted to own a true Texas barbecue joint, there'a a really good one -- Fatboys BBQ -- for sale 80 miles northeast of Dallas in Cooper.

We first met and wrote about Heather Hoff & Shannon Bankston in 2012 when they ran Fatboys in the tiny town of Ladonia, population 612. Within a year they had moved the business to nearby Cooper, a bigger town with state Hwy. 24 running through it. When we saw earlier this summer that the joint was for sale, Marshall Cooper and I headed east to visit.

Fatboys BBQ is a classic Texas joint in every way. Their sign reads, "Welcome to Texas... Where we believe in GOD, GUNS and BBQ." Heather greeted us when we arrived with a smile and a holstered Sig Sauer 9mm on her hip, asking if we liked their sign.

She and Shannon are strong supporters of the 2nd amendment, to say the least. In fact, if you're carrying they'll discount your meal by 10-percent. "Show us your heat, we'll discount the meat," is Fatboys motto.

Photo of Fatboy's BBQ in Cooper.

Co-owner Heather Hoff in the smoker room at Fatboy's BBQ in Cooper. (Photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse)

Shannon has always been a staunch and outspoken supporter of wood fired-only smokers. In fact, he came up with the classic saying, "If it ain't wood, it ain't good," which the Posse displayed at the top of our homepage for several years. The meats at Fatboys BBQ have always been cooked low & slow over wood-only fires and our meal on this trip of brisket, ribs, sausage & sides was outstanding.

This has been a tough year for the couple. Shannon, 47, is suffering from serious health issues and running the restaurant by herself has proved overwhelming for Heather. They have built a good business with a solid customer base in Cooper and are looking for the right buyer who will continue their tradition of classic Texas barbecue.

Here's the real estate listing for Fatboys, which includes the property, building, smoker, tools & furniture, along with training. All you need is the down payment and the passion to continue Heather & Shannon's devotion to cooking barbecue the real Texas way.

Fatboys BBQ, 15 Texas Highway 24 N, Cooper, (903) 300-3287. Open 11am-7pm Tues-Fri, 11am-2pm Sat.

Photo of Fatboy's BBQ in Cooper.

Heather Hoff greets customers as they arrive at Fatboys BBQ. (Photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse)

Photo of Fatboy's BBQ in Cooper.

Our lunch of ribs, brisket & sausage at Fatboys BBQ. (Photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse)

Photo of Fatboy's BBQ in Cooper.

Dining area at Fatboys BBQ. (Photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse)

Photo of Fatboy's BBQ in Cooper.

Fatboys BBQ located on Texas Hwy. 24 N in Cooper. (Photo ©Chris Wilkins/Texas BBQ Posse)




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