'Evolved' Underdog BBQ opens at new location in former Perkins. We talk to kitchen manager

It was time to turn the channel for a certain TV-famous barbecue restaurant in Erie.

Underdog BBQ moved down the street, where they have room to grow. But it wasn't as easy as pressing a button.

"We'd been looking to move for a year prior to leaving the old location," at 3040 West Lake Road, said kitchen manager and spokeswoman Ashley Messenger, 31. They purchased the former Perkins at 2714 W. Eighth St.

"It's been a year since then and we're finally able to open our doors and get back to doing what we love," Messenger said after the official opening Friday morning.

The ownership concept, which they used to build the first Underdog location with encouragement from business mogul Glenn Stearns, remains. The team includes a kitchen manager (now Messenger), operations manager, a pit master and marketing manager among other leadership roles.

"We're definitely a team," Messenger said. "And I'd put our service up against anyone's."

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The filming of the construction of the original restaurant was part of the concept in Discovery Channel show "Undercover Billionaire." The premise challenged billionaire Stearns to build a million dollar enterprise starting with $100 in a town where no one knew who he was without telling anyone.

That was in 2019. The restaurant survived the pandemic and then they were ready to expand. Since then, they've been renovating the former Perkins building, doing everything they could themselves, without the help of a contractor, adding equipment and outdoor seating, as well as décor and furniture.

"I would say it's about 30 percent bigger," than the original location, Messenger said, adding that the new location includes seating for 150 and has a larger kitchen.

She's relieved to finally have the new location open to the public after a year of rebuilding.

"It'll be nice to see money being deposited in the bank account," Messenger said. "We've seen a lot of it going out."

She estimated that the project, including the building purchase and employee retainment, is approaching $700,000.

"It was necessary," she said. "That's why you save."

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Now she's ready to get back to the business of making good barbecue.

"I don't think anybody is as eager as we are to get back open," she said.

The new place will have a new menu, but it will include some favorites from the old place.

A few highlights she mentioned: Smoked devils (deviled eggs) are a new take on old smoked deviled eggs. The pulled pork nachos are back, as well as the Sassy Ashley Sauce, and fried potatoes with a drizzle of aioli.

"I have perfected my bacon," Messenger said. "It's made of brisket that's aged five days, smoked, baked and sliced." You'll find the bacon served on the Pit Master Smasher burger and other menu items.

"(The restaurant is) a little bit different, a more evolved version of what I've always wanted to do," she said.

What to know

• Underdog BBQ

• 2714 W. Eighth St.

• 814-790-4001

• Find the new menu and more information at facebook.com/UnderdogBBQ.

• Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Sundays.

Contact Jennie Geisler at [email protected]. Or at 814-870-1885. 

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: 'Evolved' Underdog BBQ opens at former Perkins in west Erie