LEESBURG, Fla. — The mouthwatering aroma of slow-smoked meats and homemade sauces drifts from Hurt’s BBQ, a Leesburg favorite that has earned a devoted following for its tender ribs, flavorful jerk chicken, and rich, creamy mac and cheese.

But owner Douglas Hurt’s path to success wasn’t an overnight sensation—it was built on years of hard work, family recipes, and a passion for good food.

A native of Orlando, Hurt grew up in the kitchen alongside his mother, learning the secrets of Southern barbecue and home-cooked comfort. His true entrepreneurial spark, however, was ignited by his father-in-law who worked at Disney with a BBQ truck and lived out his dream.

“It was his dream first, but he never had the time,” Hurt said. “A few years later, I took what I learned from my mom and made it happen.”

What started as a weekend side hustle selling barbecue from a tent on a street corner in Davenport quickly became something bigger. At the time, Hurt worked full-time at a Coca-Cola factory—until it shut down, forcing him to take a leap of faith. “I moved to Lake County about four years ago and it was the best decision of my life. I love it here in Leesburg. When my father in law died about six years ago I took his dream and took it to the next level,” says Douglas.

(One thing is for certain, when you show up to Hurt’s BBQ you won’t go hungry.)

His setup evolved from a simple grill under a tent to a food trailer, and now, a full-scale food truck with grills smoking away beside it. With each step, Hurt refined his craft, expanding his menu to include brisket, pulled pork, steak bites, and an array of classic Southern sides.

And then there’s the sauce. Hurt prides himself on two signature creations: a sweet and spicy blend and his legendary jerk sauce, a fiery, flavor-packed favorite. “It’s got heat,” he said, “but the flavor is what makes it special.”

(Southern comfort food at it’s finest. Hurt’s BBQ serves up some incredible flavors.)

Hurt’s BBQ offers meals in every form—sandwiches, smokehouse bowls, or dinner plates piled high with sides like collard greens, baked beans, potato salad, and garlic potatoes. And for dessert? His daughter lends a hand, crafting homemade treats like bread pudding and their signature strawberry crunch cake.

From a humble roadside setup to a full-fledged business, Hurt credits patience, persistence, and passion for his barbecue’s growing success.

“We’ve worked our way up,” he said, “and we’re still going.” Although they are still going, Douglas did bring up the fact that Leesburg is planning a new rule that would limit food trucks to only 24 hours in one spot before they would have to move. “It’s something that worries me. I feed my family with this business so it is an issue that hopefully gets resolved.” We are looking into this and will have a seperate story on the plans for the future of local food trucks in Leesburg.

(The Ribs with Hurt’s signature BBQ sauces, Mac and Cheese and Collard Greens is among the best you will find in Lake County.)