CLEVELAND, Ohio –Cleveland-based food truck, Grippy’s Sauce Co., was a finalist for “Best Fried Chicken” at the 2024 National Fried Chicken Festival in early October. This annual festival, held in New Orleans, spotlights some of the country’s best fried chicken vendors. The Cleveland food truck competed with more than 40 vendors to earn a spot in the finals.
Khalid Ali started the business about four years ago.
“For most of my life I’ve been eating and cooking fried chicken,” says Ali, “but the journey of perfecting Grippy’s fried chicken and sauce recipe kind of just happened. I first started tinkering with sauce concepts about eight years ago when my brother Daoud Ali and I challenged each other to a ‘grill off’ in my backyard.”
The grill off lit a fire under Ali. He started experimenting with ingredients to develop his recipe’s “addictive flavor profile.”
When Dauod died unexpectedly six years ago, Khalid went through a dark time.
“I was able to aid my healing process through cooking. That’s when I started working on perfecting the Grippy’s signature sauce concept and fried chicken technique,” he says. “Food was something we always bonded over; every game day, family event, or party we made sure to each serve up a great dish for all to enjoy.”
The name Grippy’s came from the phrase “get a grip.” It was a reminder of how Khalid’s culinary passion pulled him through a hard time.
Before there was a business, he was cooking meals for friends and family to pick up. The popularity led to purchasing and repairing a used food trailer.
In addition to chicken, Grippy’s serves beef ribs, oxtail, chicken chili, gumbo, mac & cheese and carrot souffle.
Grippy’s has been focusing on special events, private parties, and pop-ups. As the brand gets more attention, Khalid is expanding his popups.
You can try Grippy’s Sauce Co. at their next pop-up in Cleveland on Saturday, October 26. Details about tjhis and future popups will be shared on Instagram @grippyssauceco.
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