By Ann Kaiser

For the Mirror

K.C. Deez BBQ — the highly visible red food trailer wafting sweet-smelling smoke that breezes through the Federal Way Farmers Market every Saturday — is one of the nine featured restaurants teaming up with nonprofits for the Taste of Federal Way on Saturday, Sept. 22.

The event will run from 11:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. in The Commons mall parking lot.

K.C. Deez BBQ has been a regular food vendor at the Federal Way Farmers Market for the past five years. A favorite among market patrons who just can’t get enough of that great authentic Kansas City barbecue, where the meat falls off the bone and the sauce is on the side. A process resulting in slow cooked, perfectly smoked ribs, beef brisket burnt ends, pulled pork, and more.

Owner Demetrius (De) Davis, born in Kansas, raised in Missouri and part of the Federal Way community since 1987, learned and perfected the art of barbecuing under the wing of his dad in the 1970s. De declares that barbecue is in his DNA, “A Kansas City heart and a Tennessee soul.”

Over the last 30 years he has developed his own recipes, techniques, and signature rubs and sauces. Apple wood with a little bit of cherry wood is the perfect blend for the smoker to enhance the flavor of the slow-cooked meats.

Soon K.C. Deez BBQ will have a permanent takeout store at the Twin Lakes Village in Federal Way. De is in the process of finalizing permits and getting the store ready for an opening within the next six to eight weeks. His two adult sons will be joining De and his wife in carrying out the daily management and operation of this family enterprise and tradition.

Stop by the Farmers Market this weekend and enjoy the Taste of Federal Way. Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the Market Booth on Saturday. Don’t miss the beef brisket burnt ends from the K.C. Deez BBQ food trailer — authentic Kansas City barbecue.