From Military Service to Barbecue Legacy: Darrel Frazier Honors His Grandfather’s Recipe with Frazier’s Que

In the charming small town of Van Alstyne, Texas, just outside Dallas, a military veteran turned entrepreneur is carrying forward a family tradition that spans generations. Darrel Frazier, owner of Frazier’s Que, has transformed his grandfather’s beloved barbecue sauce recipe into a thriving local business that’s capturing hearts and taste buds across Texas and Ohio.

 

A Legacy Worth Preserving

The story behind Frazier’s Que is one of love, loss, and determination. When Darrel’s grandfather, who ran Sterling’s Ribs barbecue business, passed away during Darrel’s final year of military service, the family faced the possibility of letting a cherished recipe fade into memory. Instead, Darrel made the decision to honor his grandfather’s legacy by continuing the tradition of crafting exceptional barbecue sauce.

“I just didn’t want his legacy to die,” explains Darrel, whose military background includes 10 years of service, with seven years as a truck driver and three years as a recruiter. “I wanted to continue the legacy of making the barbecue sauce that he once made.”

The name “Frazier’s Que” emerged from a family brainstorming session involving Darrel, his wife, and his tax professional. While his grandfather’s business carried the name Sterling’s Ribs after his middle name, Darrel wanted to incorporate the family surname. They settled on “Frazier’s Que,” adding a creative twist with “Q-U-E” instead of the traditional “barbecue.”

 

Standing Out in Texas Barbecue Country

What sets Frazier’s Que apart in the competitive world of Texas barbecue is its unique flavor profile. While most Texas barbecue sauces are vinegar-based, Darrel’s recipe is ketchup-based, offering a distinctive sweet and tangy taste that harkens back to his Ohio roots.

“They buy it because it’s different,” Darrel explains. “A lot of Texas barbecue sauce is vinegar-based. Mine is ketchup-based, and it has a sweet and tangy flavor to it.”

But the innovation doesn’t stop with the original recipe. Darrel has expanded his line to include creative fruit-infused flavors that are turning heads at farmers markets across the region. His mango habanero and strawberry pineapple varieties offer customers something they’ve never experienced before.

“Nobody ever heard of a strawberry pineapple barbecue sauce,” Darrel says with pride. “And it’s delicious, too.”

 

A Family Business Built on Community Values

Family plays a central role in Frazier’s Que operations. Darrel’s daughter Mia has become an invaluable asset at farmers markets, demonstrating exceptional sales skills and mastering the point-of-sale system. His son Robert contributes behind the scenes, taking product photography and helping maintain the company website. Even Darrel’s mother has joined the effort, helping to sell barbecue sauce back in their home state of Ohio, where family members still appreciate the familiar taste of grandpa’s recipe.

The family commitment runs so deep that Darrel’s mother recently flew down from Ohio with his stepfather, grandmother, and baby sister just to participate in a farmers market, taking bottles back home to continue sales in their local area.

Living in Van Alstyne, a growing community of about 10,000 to 20,000 residents that’s expected to reach 30,000 to 40,000 people within five years, Darrel appreciates the small-town atmosphere that reminds him of his Ohio childhood. “It’s small, and a lot of people know each other. I get that small town feel from it,” he shares. “I like to smell the roses. I like to sit outside in nature and just enjoy life.”

 

Beyond Business: Community Involvement

Darrel’s commitment to his community extends beyond his business ventures. He actively coaches his daughter’s soccer team and leads a veterans life group at his church, demonstrating the same dedication to service that marked his military career. He’s also a member of Networking in Action (NIA), a local business networking group that helps him connect with other entrepreneurs in the Dallas area.

As a sports enthusiast, Darrel supports the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers, reflecting his Ohio roots, though he admits to being a Michigan fan for college football. He even follows Bayern Munich in German soccer, showcasing his diverse interests.

When he’s not working on his business, Darrel enjoys basketball, poker, board games, and family Bible study sessions. These activities reflect his belief in the importance of slowing down and enjoying life’s simple pleasures.

 

Building Success One Bottle at a Time

Since launching Frazier’s Que in January of this year, Darrel has achieved impressive milestones for a startup business. He’s sold approximately 700 bottles, establishing sales channels at NTX Barbecue Supply in Denison, Texas, Ace Hardware in Sherman, Texas, and Don’s Smokehouse in Howe, Texas, alongside his regular farmers market presence.

The business operates under Texas’s recent regulatory changes that went into effect September 1st, allowing Darrel to produce, bottle, and label everything in-house while meeting requirements for potential expansion into larger retail outlets.

His marketing strategy focuses heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations and social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where he shares content from farmers markets and engages with customers who have become loyal fans of his unique flavors.

 

Looking Toward the Future

Darrel’s vision for Frazier’s Que extends far beyond its current local success. Within five years, he envisions seeing his products on shelves at major Texas grocery chains like H-E-B and eventually expanding to Walmart stores. His goal is to reach at least five to six states, building the volume necessary to work with manufacturers while maintaining the quality that has made his grandfather’s recipe a family treasure for generations.

The growing customer base spans diverse demographics, with enthusiastic responses to his unique flavor combinations proving that innovation and tradition can successfully coexist in the competitive barbecue market.

 

Experience the Frazier’s Que Difference

For readers interested in trying these distinctive barbecue sauces, Darrel is offering a special promotion: buy any two bottles for just $18, use Code: Que18. Whether you’re looking to add some sweet and tangy flavor to your next barbecue or want to try something completely unique like strawberry pineapple barbecue sauce, Frazier’s Que delivers flavors that honor the past while embracing culinary creativity.

To learn more about Frazier’s Que, visit their website at www.fraziersque.com, follow them on Facebook at Frazier’s Que, or find them at local farmers markets throughout the Dallas area. You can also visit their retail partners at NTX Barbecue Supply in Denison, Ace Hardware in Sherman, or Don’s Smokehouse in Howe.

Ready to taste the difference? Contact Frazier’s Que today at (469) 215-5381 and discover why customers across Texas and Ohio are falling in love with these innovative barbecue sauces that blend family tradition with bold new flavors.

Website: www.fraziersque.com

Phone: (469) 215-5381

Social Media: Facebook | Instagram