Leachmon's BBQ vowed to never leave Valley West Mall. Now, it has a new pit stop.

Jay Stahl, Des Moines Register
Frank "Franky" Leachmon III, left, Frank Leachmon Jr. and Trecia at the family's new restaurant on the city's east side.
Frank "Franky" Leachmon III, left, Frank Leachmon Jr. and Trecia at the family's new restaurant on the city's east side.

Frank Leachmon Jr. vowed to never leave Valley West Mall.

"I told my customers, I said, 'I'll be here until they tear the mall down around me,' then we'll go from there," Leachmon Jr. said earlier this year.

But one year after opening in the West Des Moines mall's food court, the Leachmon family found a new pit stop.

Franky Leachmon, left, and Trecia Leachmon talk with a customer in March 2023 at their former restaurant in the struggling Valley West Mall food court.
Franky Leachmon, left, and Trecia Leachmon talk with a customer in March 2023 at their former restaurant in the struggling Valley West Mall food court.

Leachmon Jr. along with family matriarch Trecia and son Franky have said their goodbyes to the perch in the food court. In November, the trio posted up at a new joint, 3900 E. 14th St., near Kulture Kingz and Aldi on the city's northeast side.

“When this spot opened, it was basically a gift from God," Trecia Leachmon told the Register.

'That really hurts': Why Leachmon's BBQ left Valley West Mall

The Leachmon family has been involved in restaurants since Frank Leachmon Sr.'s original Pit Stop BBQ opened in the early 1970s. He taught his son how to season, grill and gather customers like close family. They've owned various restaurants and food trucks over the years.

Frank Leachmon seasons meat at his new pit stop at Leachmon's BBQ in Des Moines.
Frank Leachmon seasons meat at his new pit stop at Leachmon's BBQ in Des Moines.

The family opened its stand at Valley West Mall in November 2022, just a month after a district judge approved a foreclosure of the mall.

A receiver took over the mall, but foot traffic continued to decline as more retail stores closed up shop.

“When you lose the little bit you got, you know that really hurts,” Trecia said of mall traffic.

City officials share the family's concerns and hope to spur redevelopment in the area. While a few restaurants are open upstairs, just Dairy Queen remains in the downstairs food court, according to the mall's website.

“If we don’t do anything to help remedy the issue out there, there’s an emptying or hollowing out that could occur in that area," West Des Moines economic development director Ryan Moffatt told the Register recently.

Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ's menu at its new location on East 14th Street includes cheesesteak sandwiches.
Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ's menu at its new location on East 14th Street includes cheesesteak sandwiches.

Family heirlooms fill new family's BBQ spot on city's east side

Leachmon Jr. was bound to prevent his father's dream from becoming a nightmare.

One day in early September, he drove past the new spot near Euclid Avenue.

“I almost ran through the door trying to read the sign. I’m dead serious,” Leachmon Jr. said.

By November, the business made the move to its new location. The family gave the space a paint job with personal touches like Franky's two helmets from playing football, including at Roosevelt High School.

They plan to add simple breakfast foods such as biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, sausage and toast.

The Leachmon family are flanked by Franky Leachmon's football helmets and a portrait of Frank Sr.'s parents that can be seen from the restaurant's entrance.
The Leachmon family are flanked by Franky Leachmon's football helmets and a portrait of Frank Sr.'s parents that can be seen from the restaurant's entrance.

More: Comedy superstar Matt Rife reunites with 'hottest mom' Christina at Iowa show

“That’s it — just basic, basic,” Trecia said before Leachmon Jr. added, “might do a special, I might do something different every Saturday, you never know how I feel. Steak and eggs, you never know."

Patrons are welcomed by a variety of seating options, from stools at a wraparound bar to tan booths. The Leachmon family wanted to cultivate an inviting atmosphere with soft music playing on speakers in the background.

Trecia Leachmon prepares a cheesesteak sandwich at Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ's new location on Des Moines' northeast side.
Trecia Leachmon prepares a cheesesteak sandwich at Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ's new location on Des Moines' northeast side.

“The food court is different from sitting in a regular restaurant,” Leachmon Sr. said. “You can sit down, just chill. I’m not rushing you out.”

Racks of ribs and signature sides remain on the menu from the mall. New items include grilled chicken, smoked turkey, pastrami and cheesesteak sandwiches. Leachmon's added appetizers are fried pickles, pork belly and on Sundays only: oxtails.

Trecia's fan-favorite fried mac and cheese balls and platters featuring a selection of smoked meats round out the menu. Their ribs are topped with original barbecue sauce, which is available in bottles at the pair of local Price Choppers on Ingersoll Avenue and Beaver Avenue in Des Moines.

New Leachmon location honors owners' parents Frank Sr. and Pearl

A portrait of Frank Leachmon Sr. and his wife Pearl is hung next to the new kitchen. Nearly 20 years after senior's death, his son has clung to the family recipes and the Leachmon family rules.

Stay true to barbecue. Cook with love. Because the more love you put in, the better your food will come out.

Frank Leachmon Jr. stands by his smoker.
Frank Leachmon Jr. stands by his smoker.

Franky is at the front counter again. The smoker is started.

“You’ll see smoke going and think the building on fire,” Leachmon Jr. said.

And the open sign is on.

Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Leachmon's Pit Stop BBQ leaves Valley West Mall for new restaurant

Advertisement