Eric’s Family Barbecue serves up free lunch

Barbecue is communal. It brings people together. It may not be the solution to world peace, but it’s a start.”

Anthony Garcia, owner and founder of Eric’s Family Barbecue

Lunch on Copper State

When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Eric’s Family Barbecue, 12345 W. Indian School Road, Avondale

What: Copper State Credit Union will cover selected food and drinks. The event menu includes cheeseburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, sides and dessert.

Availability: While supplies last.

COMMUNITY

Credit unions pick up tabs at West Valley restaurants

FOOD

Avondale eatery boasts 2nd best barbecue in the U.S.

Eric’s Family Barbecue owner and founder Anthony Garcia is used to feeding his community. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, Copper State Credit Union will help pick up the tab.

The credit union will cover selected food and drinks 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Eric’s Family Barbecue, 12345 W. Indian School Road in Avondale, for Pay It Forward Day. The event menu will include cheeseburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, sides and dessert. Meals will be available while supplies last.

For Garcia, the partnership fits the restaurant’s purpose.

“I didn’t open this thing to get rich. I opened this thing to be a staple in the community,” he said.

An Army veteran who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, Garcia used his GI Bill benefits to study culinary management before investing his life savings in the restaurant in 2020. His community outreach includes sponsoring Millennium High School’s football program and serving up whole hog roasts at churches, schools and local businesses.

“Barbecue is communal. It brings people together,” Garcia said. “It may not be the solution to world peace, but it’s a start.”

That spirit helped make Eric’s the choice for Copper State’s Goodyear branch, manager Jenniffer Powell said.

“Not only do they have great brisket and we love eating their food, but he also partners a lot with other small businesses in the area,” Powell said.

Garcia, who has banked with the branch for about six years, plans to staff Tuesday’s lunch like a weekend to prepare for the crowd.

Pay It Forward Day is part of Arizona Credit Union Week, returning for its fourth year to support communities, local businesses and nonprofits while promoting financial education.

Other West Valley stops Oct. 13 include Proof Bread in Litchfield Park, beginning at 8 a.m. while supplies last, The Black Sheep Coffee in Glendale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Tre Bicchieri in Glendale 3-6 p.m.

At Eric’s, Garcia hopes newcomers leave knowing more than what’s on the menu.

“I want them to see the family vibes,” he said.

Noah Flug
Reporter | Litchfield Park and Goodyear

nflug@iniusa.org

Community: Litchfield Park and Goodyear

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Digital Audiences from Arizona State University

Random Fact: I only have one biological cousin.

Hobbies: Watching movies and TV, spending time with my friends, aspiring stoic.