(LEFT TO RIGHT) Joe Parajecki, Leon Davis and Herb Kane
When I judged the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series in Minnetonka, MN this last year (2025), I met fellow judge Joe Parajecki. He sat right next to me at the judging table. We talked a lot about food and his good friend Leon Davis. Leon owns LD's BBQ, a popular restaurant in East Troy, Wisconsin. Joe told me Leon has cancer.
2025 Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series Judges (Minnetonka, MN) from left to right: PT (from 102.9 The Wolf(, Joe Parajecki, Herb Kane, Harry Soo, Famous Dave Anderson and Cody Lamar This is where Joe and I met.
The more Joe talked about Leon and all his accomplishments in barbecue, I could sense he really wanted to honor his friend in some special way. We decided Leon Davis is the perfect candidate to be inducted into the BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME." Joe went on a mission to secretly invite friends to the restaurant so we could present the plaque to Leon in person.
A few months later we set a date to surprise Leon. A snow storm hit, so we had to cancel. The next weekend worked. My fellow judge friend Jason and I set out on a 4 hour drive to East Troy, Wisconsin. We finally arrived!
A few months later we set a date to surprise Leon. A snow storm hit, so we had to cancel. The next weekend worked. My fellow judge friend Jason and I set out on a 4 hour drive to East Troy, Wisconsin. We finally arrived!
WE ARRIVED! Herb with fellow BBQ judge Jason Callaway
Speaking of bad weather, that never stopped Leon Davis from serving up his BBQ. Joe told me, "Leon was a traveling nurse who one day got tired of it. He followed his heart to barbecue, and set up a tent and cooker in Big Bend Wisconsin. He sold BBQ in all kinds of weather, even in a couple Wisconsin Blizzards."
This hard work and dedication to his craft paid off. Leon's barbecue became very popular. So much so a gas station (two exits down from where he was set up) let Leon sell his barbecue off a table inside the store. This gas station fueled even more business and it became so popular they added on to their building to accommodate Leon with a small kitchen and a communal table.
A few years later, the gas station sold. Perfect timing! Leon saw there was a vacant Burger King building across the street and he bought it. Instead of Home of the Whopper, it's now home of LD's BBQ!
This hard work and dedication to his craft paid off. Leon's barbecue became very popular. So much so a gas station (two exits down from where he was set up) let Leon sell his barbecue off a table inside the store. This gas station fueled even more business and it became so popular they added on to their building to accommodate Leon with a small kitchen and a communal table.
A few years later, the gas station sold. Perfect timing! Leon saw there was a vacant Burger King building across the street and he bought it. Instead of Home of the Whopper, it's now home of LD's BBQ!
I love how the sun shines down on LD's BBQ (East Troy, WI). The bright white line beams to the ground while a faint red glow forms a cross at the top. Serendipity at it's finest!
This is a pretty cool looking BBQ joint, but there is much more to it. Joe said, "Leon uses his BBQ Business to fund many Charitable works too. He hosts BBQ Classes, Harley Rides, and many other events."
LD's BBQ BIKE NIGHT (Tuesday 6-9pm) is one of those extremely popular events. Leon himself had donated $10,000 to Band of Blue Children of Fallen Officers – and raffled off a brand-new Harley Davidson! Over 2,500 people have attended this event. This is what I love about BBQ people. It's more about the people than the BBQ.
LD's BBQ BIKE NIGHT (Tuesday 6-9pm) is one of those extremely popular events. Leon himself had donated $10,000 to Band of Blue Children of Fallen Officers – and raffled off a brand-new Harley Davidson! Over 2,500 people have attended this event. This is what I love about BBQ people. It's more about the people than the BBQ.
LD's BBQ BIKE NIGHT - every Tuesday from 6pm to 9.
LD's BBQ is now an award winning restaurant. A few mentions include FOOD & WINE (Best BBQ in Wisconsin), FOOD NETWORK (Best Ribs in Every State - LD's BBQ in Wisconsin), Restaurant Guru (#1 BBQ in East Troy). The list goes on and on. (For a full list, just click the link: https://www.ldsbbq.com/awards).
During our visit, Jason and I eagerly ordered barbecue. The juicy, tender delicious smokey meats combined with all the tasty side dishes made for one satisfying meal. Loved it! Upon completion, we decided LD's BBQ will now receive another award: It's now a BBQ CRITIC APPROVED restaurant! Yes, another plaque will be coming.
Congrats, Leon and staff!
During our visit, Jason and I eagerly ordered barbecue. The juicy, tender delicious smokey meats combined with all the tasty side dishes made for one satisfying meal. Loved it! Upon completion, we decided LD's BBQ will now receive another award: It's now a BBQ CRITIC APPROVED restaurant! Yes, another plaque will be coming.
Congrats, Leon and staff!
Leon Davis states on his website, "LD’s BBQ serves meats that are slow smoked over 100% Seasoned Oak wood. No corners are cut to get this food to tender and juicy. Anyone that has been here more than once can attest to the fact that there is smoke in the air from very early in the morning until late in the evening. So you know that the meats are being cooked every day to the specifications that my customers have asked for over and over again."
No wonder the inside walls of LD's BBQ are signed by thousands of his "regular" customers! It's an eye-catching display of loyal fans giving Leon their own stamp of approval.
No wonder the inside walls of LD's BBQ are signed by thousands of his "regular" customers! It's an eye-catching display of loyal fans giving Leon their own stamp of approval.
Just one of the walls signed by "regular" customers of LD's BBQ. This is a fan approved restaurant!
We finally presented Leon with the 2025 BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME" plaque. This award comes from all of Leon's friends. When Joe Parajecki arranged for this event, it was done on behalf of everyone who loves Leon, friends who want to see his legacy remembered. It's a beautiful thing. Mission Accomplished, Joe.
Pitmaster Leon Davis (LD's BBQ) accepting the BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME" plaque from his friends.
I believe God brought Joe and I together by judging BBQ at a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series contest, a meeting that would eventually lead us down a path to honor his friend, Leon Davis. This was no coincidence.
The success of LD's BBQ was built on a foundation of love, friendship, dedication and hard work. Leon Davis embodies all those attributes. Leon Davis - welcome to the BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME."
We all love you!
Herb
- BBQ CRITIC
The success of LD's BBQ was built on a foundation of love, friendship, dedication and hard work. Leon Davis embodies all those attributes. Leon Davis - welcome to the BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME."
We all love you!
Herb
- BBQ CRITIC
VIDEO
Interview with Leon Davis and friends...
Interview with Leon Davis and friends...
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