Larkin Barbecue is the result of a leap of faith — and a whole lot of early mornings.
After more than 20 years in healthcare recruitment, Sean Larkin decided it was time to trade conference calls for fire management. Barbecue had always been the pull. The craft. The patience. The satisfaction of building something with your hands and feeding people in the process.
What started as backyard cooks turned into popup tents, long weekends, and a growing line of familiar faces. With support from his wife Jillian — balancing a full-time corporate career while helping run the business — and their two young kids, Larkin Barbecue became more than a side project. It became the why.
Every brisket, rib, and turkey breast is cooked by Sean on a custom 500-gallon offset smoker, using classic techniques and consistent fire. No shortcuts. No rushing the pit. Just oak, time, and respect for the process.
Today, Larkin Barbecue calls East Dallas home, serving out of a permanent food trailer near White Rock Lake. It’s a neighborhood spot built to feed individuals, families, and entire crews — whether you’re stopping by for lunch or planning a big gathering.
At its core, this is family-built barbecue meant to be shared. When you eat here, you’re not just grabbing food. You’re joining a community built on fire, care, and good people around a table.
Larkin Barbecue 