The Truth About David Sandusky From BBQ Brawl Season 2

Coming into Season 2 of "BBQ Brawl," contestant David Sandusky looks like a good bet to go all the way. The pitmaster has received recognition for his ownership of and starring role in Beast Craft BBQ Co, with the flagship establishment in Belleville, Illinois. In an article about the best BBQ in every state, Food & Wine made a special mention of Sandusky's establishment and how successful it has proven: "Already close enough to the Gateway Arch to be considered some of the best barbecue in St. Louis, Sandusky really went for it last year, opening a second location right in town."

This path to massive mainstream recognition, however, came after Sandusky grew disillusioned with all of the ceremony that surrounded the fine dining that he had been working within and learning from. "When you're a kid, it's fun to be the most pretentious guy — hey, I can do all these cool sauces and fancy plates — but that's not what regular people relate to," he explained to Riverfront Times. Instead, he's found joy in connecting to diners through barbecue. According to Sandusky, it reminded him of his time at ministry school, before he dropped out to become a chef.

The measure of Sandusky's success is evidenced by the fact that in August 2020, during the pandemic's ravages, he opened another venture in St. Louis. This one, as reported by St. Louis Magazine, served gourmet chicken wings.

Another aspect that may lead David Sandusky to a good placing in this season of "BBQ Brawl" is the fact that he has undergone some Food Network competition before. Specifically, he competed in "Guy's Grocery Games." "I've competed quite a bit during my career, but nothing as crazy as this," Sandusky told the Riverfront Times before the episode aired in 2019. As St Louis Today reported after the episode's showing, Sandusky won.

Of course, "Guy's Grocery Games" differs greatly from "BBQ Brawl" in format and demands. However, with that prior televised experience, Sandusky should be more at home in the midst of the competition. Although, as he admitted in the Riverfront Times article, he thrives more on the pressure of such shows than the meeting of new friends or even Guy Fieri. The pitmasters will go head-to-head on June 14, per Food Network.

However well he does in this new competition, though, his restaurants will still boast their 4.5 out of 5 stars on both Tripadvisor and Yelp.