Major expansion for Kilgore business
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Billy Ray Suggs, owner of Kilgore's new and improved Bodacious Barbecue, shows off the double-capacity dining room in the new 12,000-square-foot restaurant.

In 1983 what Kilgoreites will come to call the old Bodacious - a 3,000-square-foot log structure - was built. What stands close to there 25 years later may cause some to forget that little log cabin was ever there.

Billy Ray Suggs, owner of Kilgore's Bodacious, improved the restaurant by erecting a new 12,000-square-foot steel building with log siding.

In the expansion Billy Ray double seating capacity, added 15 employees, put in more than 60 parking spaces, expanded his menu to include salad and baked potatoes, Wireless internet connections, a huge gift shop, and added a banquet room - that seats 175 - with two 50-inch flat screen televisions, a stage and its own kitchen.

"The one thing people ask everyday is 'Did y'all replace the pits?' and the answer is no," Billy Ray said. "We've still got the flavor our customers are accustomed to."

The pits were moved inside the new building in a ventilated pit area where the same Bodacious smokers are puffing away 24-7.

Billy Ray anticipates the arrival of a breakfast menu and expanded hours.

Billy Ray started his Bodacious career, "peeling taters and cookin' meat," 23 years ago.

"I learned the business from Roland Lindsey, founder of Bodacious," Billy Ray said. "He is the father of barbecue, as far as I am concerned; he dedicated his entire life to barbecue."

Bodacious is open 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a week and caters for events for guests from 25 to 25,000.

"Come on in and see what we've done," Billy Ray said. "You've go to see it to believe it."