Valley Meal Prep owner and Modesto caterer close up shop to open barbecue trailer
Two long-time Modesto chefs have partnered to open a barbecue food trailer and catering company on McHenry Avenue.
Jesse Padilla and Matt Martin, both with over 20 years of culinary experience, launched Craft BBQ & Catering Co. around six months ago, Padilla said. They extended their business by opening a food trailer on June 5.
Martin was the owner of Valley Meal Prep, established in 2015. Padilla previously owned a different catering company for around five years before Craft BBQ came along.
“(Martin) closed down Valley Meal Prep, I closed down my catering business and we linked up and now we’re going to be doing barbecue together,” Padilla said.
They decided to open a barbecue place because they’re both “very good at it,” and also because barbecue doesn’t have a large presence in Modesto, he said.
The new Craft BBQ trailer is parked behind the building with the same name — where pre-ordered plates were picked up before the trailer opened. The building was formerly a Valley Meal Prep.
“Eventually, we’ll turn this facility into a brick and mortar where we can open up full throttle with a restaurant,” Padilla said.
As far as the catering side of things, Padilla and Martin have contracts with medical facilities in Modesto and Stockton, where they feed over 200 people Monday through Friday.
“Every month they get a new menu, and they have various kinds of food,” Padilla said. “One day they might be getting Chinese, one day they might be getting Italian, next day American.”
Craft BBQ also offers party-sized portions of slow-smoked meats, sides, sauces, drinks and more, according to its website.
Catering packages have a 40-person minimum and are available for delivery or the company can set up and serve at the event. Orders for under 40 people are available for pick up only.
Seventeen-hour smoked brisket on Craft BBQ menu
Padilla describes the Craft BBQ menu predominantly as traditional California barbecue, with a Latin flair to some of the weekly specials — such as al pastor pork ribs.
He and Martin smoke their briskets around 17 hours. Other meat options include tri-tip, pulled pork and smoked Hawaiian sausages.
All of the meats are cooked on two large smokers that sit behind the building, next to the trailer.
Meats are sold by the half pound, in platters, on sandwiches, in bowls or on loaded baked potatoes.
Customers can order one-meat, two-meat or three-meat platters ranging from $18 to $48, or family platters for $120. Platters come with choice of side(s), including five-cheese macaroni, charro beans and potato salad.
“The charro beans are kind of a fan favorite,” Padilla said. “That and the mac and cheese — and, of course, our brisket. Matt really gets down on the brisket.”
Sides also can be purchased separately for $6.97, or $10.97 for a large. Extras are garlic cheddar biscuits, garlic butter Hawaiian rolls as well as a portion of pickles and pickled red onions for $1.75 each.
“We’ve been hearing a lot of good feedback,” Padilla said. “With me and Matt combining our culinary experience with barbecue, it’s really hitting off.”
The Craft BBQ trailer is open Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until the trailer sells out. It sits in the parking lot behind the Craft BBQ building at 3008 McHenry Ave.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM.
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