Patrick Hicks, the co-founder of Arlington’s acclaimed Smoke N’ Ash BBQ, known for blending traditional Texas barbecue with Ethiopian flavors, has died after suffering a stroke. His wife, Fasicka Hicks, said his death was sudden and left the family in shock, despite his two-year battle with c ancer. Now, as the family mourns, they’re determined to keep the restaurant going and preserve the legacy he built. “We’re going to make sure that Patrick Hicks is Smoke N’ Ash BBQ and we’re going to stand tall for him. That’s the only way I can fill, you know, the gap of the loss I have right now,” Fasicka Hicks said. The restaurant has earned recognition from Guy Fieri and the Michelin Guide, along with a feature on NBC 5’s Texas Today. Inside Smoke N’ Ash BBQ, a wall of accolades reflects years of hard work and a willingness to challenge the traditional Texas barbecue scene by introducing Ethiopian flavors. But the restaurant’s story began long before the recognition. Fasicka Hicks was just 22 when she met Patrick in his hometown of Waco. A recent immigrant from Ethiopia, she said Patrick helped her navigate life in the United States. The couple went on to have two daughters, Lydia and Avinet, and eventually launched a barbecue business that took years to evolve into the Smoke N’ Ash BBQ of today. “This Texas Ethiopian thing has been going on for years. And I know having it in Smoke N’ Ash BBQ is introducing it to our community, but the existence was there in our family,” Fasicka Hicks said. Working together also gave her a deeper appreciation for the man she married. “I learned so much [ABOUT] the type of person he was the last 10 years than the entire years of our time together. Learned about his patience, learned how much he cared about me. I never knew the care was that significant up until we started spending all our time together,” she said. For the couple’s daughters, the loss is difficult to put into words. “It’s something I never knew I would have to navigate. I never imagined a life without my dad…” one of his daughters said. While Smoke N’ Ash BBQ has become a celebrated part of Arlington’s dining scene, his family wants people to remember that Patrick’s impact extended far beyond the restaurant. “I think he’s more than just the restaurant. I think that, he’s my dad, he’s a father, he’s a very impactful man…” one of his daughters said. For Fasicka Hicks, continuing the restaurant’s Ethiopian-Texan barbecue tradition is one way to honor her husband and the life they built together. And for his daughters, being a celebrated pitmaster will always be just one part of their father’s story. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication. ...read more read less