Fadel got his BBQ start in Arlington ISD
Marc Fadel didn’t see anything to eat at home, and he was tired of pizza rolls. So, the young teenager decided he should try cooking for himself.
Fast forward five years, and the now 19-year-old graduate of Martin High School is a rising barbecue star recognized by Texas Monthly.
He graduated from Martin in 2024, but already, Fadel has made his mark on Texas’ competitive barbecue scene. The UT Arlington student owns Habibi Barbecue, a Lebanese-fusion food truck that has been recognized by Texas Monthly as a destination-worthy restaurant.
Fadel credits Arlington ISD’s culinary programs for sparking his cooking passion. He first joined Martin’s culinary classes before moving on to the district’s cullinary program at the Career and Technical Center (CTC). That’s where he discovered the barbecue club – and became a reality TV star.
“I didn’t know anything about barbecue. I joined it, and after a bit, I fell in love with barbecue,” Fadel said.
He joined the CTC’s competitive BBQ team – the Smoking Ferrets, which was featured on Magnolia Network’s TV series “BBQ High.” The show chronicled the team’s run to the Texas BBQ State Championship meet in 2024.
The experience set Fadel on a path that now blends Texas traditions with Lebanese flavors. He runs the business while studying construction management at UTA.
His dedication to the craft is evident. Though Habibi Barbecue – located in Ghost Food Park on Arkansas Lane near Bowen Road – is only open Fridays and Saturdays, Fadel begins preparing on Tuesdays.
“A lot of barbecue places like to cut corners, but I don’t,” Fadel said. “Even though I’m only open two days, it’s like a whole week’s worth of process just to open up.”
The hard work has paid off. Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn has praised Habibi Barbecue as one of Fort Worth’s top spots. Fadel said the recognition reflects the lessons he learned in Arlington ISD classrooms.
“It gave me a lot of freedom, learning about what to do with different cuts of meat, how different meats smoke, how to manage a smoker, a lot about temperatures, a lot about time of day,” Fadel said. “I’ve been rained on. I’ve been stormed on. You learn a lot during the process, but it’s very fun, and it’s a very unique experience for a student.”
Fadel hopes his story inspires other Arlington ISD students to pursue their passions.
“Dedication really goes a long way, and it shows hard work. Don’t let something that fails stop you.” Fadel said. “Keep on working.”