Today we’d like to introduce you to Bradley & Christina Kurtz.
Hi Bradley & Christina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
We’re Brad and Christina, a husband and wife team and proud co-owners of Safeside BBQ. Our journey began with faith, hard work, and a shared love for bringing people together through good food.
Brad is a U.S. Air Force combat veteran who served five deployments, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The name Safeside honors his unit and pays tribute to the men and women he served beside, those who made it home, those who didn’t, and those still fighting battles long after coming back. Our business is our way of carrying their spirit forward through something that brings comfort and connection.
What started out as cookouts for his unit, family, and friends, grew into a passion that became our purpose. We built Safeside BBQ from the ground up, learning every piece ourselve, from slow-smoking meats, homemade sides, to serving communities across Minnesota. Every plate we serve reflects our heart, our faith, and our mission to make people feel at home.
Safeside BBQ is more than food. It’s about family, service, and gratitude. It’s about honoring where we came from and who we continue to serve, one meal at a time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Building Safeside BBQ has been one of the hardest and most rewarding journeys of our lives. The food truck industry itself has been a major blessing. Many owners are willing to help, guide, and share advice if you are open to listening, and we are so grateful for the friendships we have built within this community, some of which have become like family. Here in Minnesota, weather is one of our biggest challenges. Rain, snow, or heat can shut us down in a heartbeat. Finding legal and profitable parking spots takes patience, strong relationships, and constant navigation of city and county rules. Maintenance and repairs are another hurdle, from flat tires and broken generators to kitchen equipment that always seems to fail mid-event. Then there are the financial pressures, with steep startup and operating costs from fuel and insurance to commissary rentals and supplies. On top of that, Minnesota requires separate licensing and permit fees for the state, county, and each city we operate in, totaling tens of thousands of dollars each year. On top of all that, we have faced unexpected health challenges. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and have been going through treatment. Through the hardest days, Bradley has stepped up even more, balancing the truck, our family, and my care. We work 12 to 16 hours a day, six to seven days a week, fueled by faith, grit, and purpose. Every obstacle reminds us why we do this, to serve great food, bring people together, and keep our hearts rooted in hope.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Safeside BBQ?
Safeside BBQ is a veteran-owned, family-run food truck based in the West Metro area of Minnesota. My husband Bradley and I founded Safeside BBQ with a shared mission to serve slow-smoked, handcrafted barbecue made with heart and purpose, while building community and connection through food. As a city boy from South Minneapolis and a small-town country girl from Arkansas, we bring together two different worlds, blending bold Northern grit with warm Southern soul in every bite.
We specialize in authentic, slow-smoked meats over real fire. Brad and I both take turns in the pit, and we both enjoy it. We have brisket, pulled pork, ribs, paired with our homemade sauces and scratch-made sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, and loaded macs. Our creative menu items, including birria tacos, brisket smash burgers, and Jester sandwiches served on homemade naan bread cooked fresh on-site, have become fan favorites. Every dish is made from scratch, excpet our noodles for our baked mac. All our meat are locally sourced, because we believe in supporting local farmers and small businesses that make Minnesota special.
What truly sets us apart is our heart and dedication to the craft. We are not just cooking food, we are creating an experience. Our customers can feel the care, love, and story behind every plate. Our line is not just a place to order, it is a place to connect, laugh, and share life. We take pride in hospitality that feels like family, in service that honors Bradley’s military service, and in food that comforts the soul.
Safeside BBQ stands for authenticity, consistency, and generosity. We honor those who have served, celebrate community, and believe that food made with love has the power to bring people together.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What we love most about Minneapolis is its incredible variety of culture. Brad grew up in South Minneapolis and has always appreciated how diverse and welcoming the city is. The mix of cultures brings with it an amazing range of food, traditions, and community spirit that makes the city truly special. I love that too, but coming from a small town in Arkansas, I’ve also grown to love the city life itself, the energy, the people, and the sense of opportunity that comes with it. Minneapolis has a beautiful balance of heart, creativity, and connection.
Brad and I have a song, and often say that the song “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey describes us perfectly, a city boy from South Minneapolis and a small-town country girl from Arkansas who never stopped believing in each other, in our dreams, or in the community that continues to lift us up.
What we like least would be the over-regulation that sometimes makes it hard for small businesses like ours to operate freely, especially when it comes to food smokers. Minnesota is one of only two states in the country that restricts the type of smokers we prefer to use, which makes it challenging for BBQ businesses to fully showcase the craft the way it was meant to be done. Still, we love this city deeply, and we’re proud to serve its people, even with the challenges that come with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://safesidebbq.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safeside_bbq?igsh=bzc4OTI2NG82dWd4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DAV8F55GS/
