Pullman locals and WSU alums Molly and Tim Schotzko share a passion for central-Texas style barbecue. They hope to bring the joy of conversation and great food to the community with their food truck, Miss Huddy’s. 

The couple said their first experience with Texas-style barbecue was during a visit to the state. Now, they are motivated to recreate the flavor and social experience they had in Austin, Texas. 

“When you go to Texas [for barbecue], you end up standing in line for a while, you meet people from Texas or all over the United States and the world, who have come to Texas just to experience that,” Tim said. 

Besides their love for barbecue, the couple is passionate about the community and creating relationships with others in the Pullman area. 

“We love this community so much, we feel that the community aspect of barbecue just fits,” Tim said. “We want our customers to talk with each other so they can meet new people and share their experiences.” 

Molly said she and Tim have struggled with not being able to see friends and family often because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But they are glad to be able to continue serving the community in a safe manner. 

The Schotzkos said they are grateful to have started this endeavor after the pandemic because they were able to include safety guidelines in their original business plan rather than having to change operations in order to comply. 

The Schotzkos set out on their barbecue journey after being encouraged by family and friends to share their amazing cooking with the community, they said. Although it has not been the easiest journey, they have enjoyed the hard work that comes along with running their own business, they said. 

“Barbecue is an incredible amount of work, there’s [only] two of us, we have a four-year-old and this is a side gig,” Molly Schotzko said. “We didn’t expect this response right away, and so Tim is cooking much more than we anticipated.”

The couple said they appreciate that colleagues and customers have been patient and understanding as they continue to navigate serving plans and the logistics of running a restaurant. 

Since opening, the Schotzkos have served from Miss Huddy’s in the same location north of Dissmore’s on Stadium Way and plan to stay there for the next few services. Tim said they are considering a more permanent location in the future. However, there are many factors that influence where they can set up their food truck. 

Serving frequency varies, Molly said because the couple is learning how much product they need in order to serve everyone.

They are looking forward to a time in which they can cook more frequently. She said they are on schedule to do two services a month. 

Aside from their barbecue, Molly is a part-time instructor at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and Tim teaches shop at Pullman High School.

The Schotzkos also have a four-year-old daughter, Hudson, the namesake of Miss Huddy’s Barbecue. Molly said setting good examples of work ethic and making a dream a reality for their daughter are important to them.

“If you have something that inspires you and fascinates you, follow it, you never know where it’s going to lead,” Molly said. “This didn’t happen for us overnight, we’ve been building this for about six or seven years now.” 

Tim said they are still learning how everything works together, but encourage those who may want to start their own business to follow their dreams. 

Tim said one of his favorite items to cook on the menu is brisket. It brings back the nostalgic feeling of when he and Molly visited Texas and had their first experience with the barbecue they hold so dear in their hearts.

“Often there are people who have waited a long time in line a long time, so when you cut one of the money bites and they eat it, they look at each other and kind of go ‘Oh, I get it now,’” he said. 

Molly said they love when they are able to bring flavors from their childhood to the menu with the variety of side dishes and desserts. 

“We’re doing the best we can to recreate [the experience],” Tim said. “Being able to watch other people enjoy [barbecue] the way we enjoy it makes the late nights worth it.” 

People can receive regular updates on Miss Huddy’s location and services via their Instagram page.