About Us

Every meal tells a story, and Mini’s BBQ Sauce is one written with love, care, and a little bit of magic. This story begins in 1982, in a small kitchen filled with laughter and the unmistakable aroma of something special simmering on the stove. It starts with Frank “Mini” Malbon—a man with a big heart and an even bigger dream. But back then, he wasn’t dreaming of starting a business. He just wanted to craft something unforgettable to share with the people he loved most.

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Frank’s mission was simple: create the perfect vinegar-based BBQ sauce to bring his family and friends together. Those early batches weren’t fancy. He poured his sauce into whatever jars he could find—mason jars, salad dressing bottles, even cleaned-out mayo jars. But none of that mattered because the magic was inside. One taste and people were hooked. His sauce wasn’t just good—it was something they remembered. By Christmas, it had become the gift everyone waited for, not because it was flashy but because it was Frank’s.

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One December, everything changed. A kind neighbor, and still close friend, Ellen Sinclair, invited Frank to her Christmas bazaar. Frank hesitated. He didn’t have polished labels or shiny packaging. But Ellen believed in him. She designed a simple label that captured the heart of Mini’s sauce, and with 35 cases in tow, Frank nervously set up shop. Three days later, every single jar was gone. People didn’t just buy the sauce—they shared in his passion, his story.

That small spark turned into something much bigger. Frank spent countless nights under the warm glow of his kitchen lights, stirring, bottling, and pouring his heart into every batch. By 1995, Mini’s had found its way onto the shelves of local stores like Harris Teeter and Taylor’s Do It Centers. It wasn’t just a family treasure anymore; it was becoming a community favorite.

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For decades, Mini’s BBQ Sauce quietly found its way into homes through beloved local spots like Pleasant’s Hardware, Libbie Market, and Food of All Nations. It became known as “the best-kept secret in BBQ,” a hidden gem shared between neighbors and passed down through word of mouth. But now? We’re ready to share it with you.

Mini’s isn’t just BBQ sauce—it’s family. It’s tradition. It’s the warm memory of holidays spent together and the love that goes into every batch. It’s the sauce that turns a casual cookout into a celebration and transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary. For over 40 years, every jar has been made the way it always was—by hand, with heart, just like Frank intended.

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When you buy Mini’s, you’re not just buying a sauce. You’re becoming part of a story that started in a small kitchen and grew into something so much more. You’re supporting a family-owned business that values connection, community, and the joy of sharing something made with love.

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So, welcome to the Mini’s family. We’re honored to have you at our table. Let’s make something special together—one meal, one memory, one jar of sauce at a time.

From our family to yours, thank you for believing in us.

 

Time to get “Mini-fied"!