Long before anyone is watching, Raul Martinez Jr. of 105BBQ is already up and running his smoker at a house on the corner of a one-way street in Watts.
For Martinez, it has never been about creating a viral moment or attracting influencers. He’s just a man who learned his way around a smoker to provide a different life for his family.
When his dad was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, doctors put him on a bland, restrictive diet that left him with no appetite. He felt like he could no longer enjoy a good meal while managing the disease. Then the pandemic hit, and Martinez began searching for ways to cook with bold flavors his father could enjoy without compromising his health.