New smoked BBQ business opens permanent Chichester restaurant

Fat Jack's Shack has taken up a new home at Draper's Yard, following a year of travelling around events with a food trailer.

The business was started by Jack Spencer in Cornwall during lockdown. His partner, Emie Whitelock, later took over ownership.

Since then, the business has grown, with the pair now running the restaurant alongside a team of around six local people from the Chichester and Witterings area.

Jack said the couple were attracted to Draper's Yard after discovering the space was becoming available.

He said: "We loved the space and the idea of the outside dining throughout the summer, and thought we could make it into something really good that Chichester hasn't really got."

Fat Jack's Shack specialises in American-style BBQ, serving smoked meats alongside dishes including mac and cheese, loaded fries and BBQ platters.

Jack said: "We use all butcher's meat, so we're not using cheap imported meats. It's butcher's meat that's smoked for 18 hours, so it's really tender and melts in your mouth."

The business held its opening party on Saturday, July 11, with BBQ food, drinks and live music.

Jack said the aim was to create a relaxed atmosphere at the new venue, with plans for more live music and smoked Sunday roasts.

"It's just going to be a super-chilled-out vibe – good food, good music and good times," he said.

The business has already received a positive response from customers, according to Jack, who said: "It has been very busy, and we've had loads of great reviews already, with people saying it's some of the best food they've eaten in Chichester. It's really good to hear."

The Fat Jack's Shack food trailer will also continue to operate alongside the permanent restaurant, with plans for it to appear at locations around the Witterings.

The trailer has been serving its smoked BBQ at East Wittering beach, outside the ice cream parlour, offering customers the chance to enjoy the business's food by the coast.

The restaurant at Draper's Yard continues to operate as usual while the food trailer visits different locations and events.

And the team has ambitions to continue growing, with Jack saying more staff could be needed as the business gets busier.

"That's the plan – we're going to be all over the South Coast before you know it," he said.

Find out more, by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/fatjacksshack