Patrick Mahomes’ Photo Saves a Tyler BBQ Shack from Closing

In the heart of Tyler, Texas, a small BBQ shack called Joe’s Pit Stop has been a local institution for decades. Known for its smoky brisket and ribs, it was once a post-game ritual spot for a teenage Patrick Mahomes, the future NFL superstar, after Friday night football games at Whitehouse High School. By early 2025, however, the shack faced closure due to declining business and rising costs. That is, until Mahomes posted a single photo on social media with the caption: “First taste of victory happened right here. KC, go show them love.” The result? Thousands of orders poured in, and the doors of Joe’s Pit Stop stayed open, proving the power of gratitude and community.

A Teenage Hangout in Tyler

Growing up in Tyler, Patrick Mahomes was a multi-sport phenom, starring in football, baseball, and basketball at Whitehouse High School. After Friday night football games in the early 2010s, Mahomes and his teammates would pile into Joe’s Pit Stop, a no-frills BBQ shack on the edge of town. Run by Joe Carter, a gruff but warm-hearted pitmaster, the shack was where Mahomes savored his earliest victories—both on the field and at the table. “Patrick would order the same thing every time: brisket sandwich, extra sauce, with a side of potato salad,” Carter recalled in a local Tyler Morning Telegraph interview. “He’d sit there with his buddies, laughing, already talking about the next game.”

Back then, Mahomes was a talented but raw quarterback, not yet the Kansas City Chiefs’ three-time Super Bowl MVP. Joe’s Pit Stop was more than a place to eat; it was a haven where a young athlete could dream big over a plate of BBQ. The shack’s walls, plastered with photos of local sports teams, bore witness to countless post-game celebrations, including those of Mahomes and his Whitehouse Wildcats.

By 2025, however, Joe’s Pit Stop was struggling. Joe Carter had passed away in 2020, and his daughter, Emily Carter, took over the business. Rising food costs, competition from chain restaurants, and a slow post-pandemic recovery had pushed the shack to the brink of closure. Emily announced on a local Facebook group that the shack would likely close by spring 2025, prompting an outpouring of nostalgia from Tyler residents but little hope of saving it.

A Single Photo Changes Everything

Enter Patrick Mahomes. In February 2025, while visiting Tyler during the NFL offseason, Mahomes drove by Joe’s Pit Stop and noticed its faded sign and empty parking lot. Moved by memories of his teenage years, he snapped a photo of himself outside the shack, holding a brisket sandwich and flashing his signature grin. He posted it to his Instagram and X accounts, which boast millions of followers, with the caption: “First taste of victory happened right here. KC, go show them love.”

The response was immediate and overwhelming. Within hours, the post went viral, racking up thousands of likes, shares, and comments. Chiefs fans in Kansas City, many of whom travel to Tyler for games or family visits, began placing online orders for Joe’s Pit Stop through a delivery service the shack had recently adopted. By the end of the first day, Emily Carter reported over 2,000 orders, with customers from as far as Missouri and Oklahoma requesting shipments of ribs, brisket, and Joe’s famous BBQ sauce. “I couldn’t believe it,” Emily said. “The phone wouldn’t stop ringing. We had to call in extra staff just to keep up.”

The influx of orders didn’t stop there. Over the next week, Joe’s Pit Stop received nearly 10,000 orders, including bulk catering requests for Chiefs watch parties and local events in Tyler. Social media buzzed with hashtags like #MahomesBBQ and #SaveJoesPitStop, with fans posting photos of their meals and stories of their own visits to the shack. One X user wrote, “Drove 6 hours from KC to eat at Joe’s because of @PatrickMahomes. Worth every mile. This brisket is 🔥!”

A Lifeline for a Local Legacy

The financial boost from the orders—estimated to have generated over $150,000 in revenue—saved Joe’s Pit Stop from closing. Emily used the funds to pay off outstanding debts, repair aging kitchen equipment, and hire additional staff to handle the newfound demand. She also expanded the shack’s online presence, launching a website for nationwide shipping and partnering with a local marketing firm to promote the business.

But the impact went beyond dollars and cents. Mahomes’ post rekindled community pride in Joe’s Pit Stop. Tyler residents, inspired by the out-of-town support, began flocking back to the shack, filling its picnic tables for the first time in years. The high school football team, now coached by one of Mahomes’ former teammates, made it a tradition to visit after games, echoing the rituals of a decade earlier. “Patrick didn’t just save the business,” Emily said. “He reminded us why this place matters to Tyler.”

Mahomes’ gesture also sparked a broader conversation about supporting small businesses. Local news outlets covered the story, highlighting the challenges faced by family-run establishments in the face of corporate competition. A Dallas Morning News editorial praised Mahomes, noting, “His post shows how a single act of gratitude can galvanize a community and keep a legacy alive.”

Part of Mahomes’ Pattern of Giving

This isn’t the first time Mahomes has used his platform to uplift those who shaped his journey. In early 2025, he made an unannounced appearance at his 8th-grade math teacher’s retirement party, presenting a handwritten note from 2009 that thanked her for letting him turn in late homework so he could “chase the dream.” He also quietly bought and transformed a Tyler BBQ joint, Big Joe’s, into Heroes’ Haven Diner, offering free meals to veterans every Sunday. These acts reflect Mahomes’ deep connection to Tyler and his commitment to honoring those who supported him.

Mahomes’ love for BBQ is no secret. He’s a known fan of Texas-style barbecue, having partnered with KMO Burger to bring Whataburger to Kansas City in 2022. His affinity for Joe’s Pit Stop stems from its role in his formative years, when post-game meals fueled his dreams of NFL glory. “Those nights at Joe’s were where I learned what winning felt like,” Mahomes said in a brief follow-up post on X, thanking fans for supporting the shack. “Let’s keep those pits smoking.”

A Community Reborn

By August 2025, Joe’s Pit Stop was thriving. Emily Carter added a “Mahomes Special” to the menu—a brisket sandwich with extra sauce and potato salad, served with a nod to the quarterback’s teenage order. A portion of the proceeds goes to Mahomes’ 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, which supports youth programs in Tyler and Kansas City. The shack’s walls now feature a framed photo of Mahomes’ viral post, alongside a new sign that reads, “Where Victories Begin.”

The story of Joe’s Pit Stop is a testament to Mahomes’ influence and his ability to rally a community. Chiefs fans, Tyler locals, and even strangers drawn by the viral post have turned the shack into a destination, with some driving hours to taste the BBQ that fueled a future legend. “I never thought one photo could do this,” Emily said, standing outside the shack as a line of customers stretched down the block. “Patrick gave us more than orders—he gave us hope.”

Mahomes’ single post, born of nostalgia and gratitude, didn’t just save a BBQ shack—it revived a piece of Tyler’s soul. Joe’s Pit Stop remains open, its pits smoking and its tables full, a living reminder that even the smallest places can hold the biggest dreams, and that a superstar’s love for his hometown can keep those dreams alive.