Joe’s Real BBQ’s 10th annual Customer Appreciation Day proved to be its most popular to date: The downtown Gilbert restaurant handed out free barbecue meals Wednesday to a record 6,184 people.

The previous record, set last year, was 5,358.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., people received a choice of sandwich (pulled pork or chopped brisket), barbecue pit beans, cole slaw and a drink.

The line varied from fewer than 100 people at times to more than 850 people during the dinner hour (see photos of the longest line), but moved at a clip of more than 700 people served each hour.

Co-owner Tad Peelen reports the restaurant went through approximately 4,500 pounds of smoked meat and 1,800 quarts of sides.

More photos (click each to enlarge):

Posted in: Gilbert • Joe's Real BBQ |

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