No Secret Here: The Original Q Shack Puts Heart in the BBQ

When it comes to The Original Q Shack, nothing is done small. The Durham, NC barbeque restaurant is known for their brisket, ribs and extra large portions. Owner Daniel Ferguson says there's no big secret to owning and running a successful restaurant because it's all in the work ethic.

"Everyone does barbeque basically the same," Ferguson says. "I don't have any big secret. It's all about commitment, love, hard work and determination. It's about finding the best ingredients and taking the time to do it right."

The restaurant's slogan is "BBQ tender as a mother's love," a tagline that can presumably be credited back to Ferguson's willingness to not cut corners. All The Original Q Shack meats are smoked in-house with their special blend of hickory and mesquite woods, giving their long menu of barbeque a flavor unique to The Original Q Shack.

When it comes to serving food, there's certainly no skimping on portions. Barbeque plates at The Original Q Shack come with two sides and a serving of hush puppies. With a menu slathered in house-smoked meats and barbeque sauce, it's no wonder why Ferguson and his former manager entered and won the Step Up for Soldiers competition in 2014. Although he didn't get to enter again this year (he was too busy with baseball coaching for his son), he isn't shy about sharing his not-so-secret secret.

"There is no big secret to barbeque," Ferguson says. "Good barbeque takes hard work and that is something I am good at doing."