PETA shows up, locals show out: Record day for Valentine BBQ restaurant

VALENTINE, Neb. - PETA’s “Hell on Wheels” truck is making its way through Nebraska this week, aiming to get people to reconsider what’s on their plate—especially when it comes to pork. However, in Valentine on Sunday the animal rights group’s message might have backfired.

Heath and Courtney Bristol, owners of Bulldogger’s BBQ in Valentine, said Sunday marked their busiest day ever—and it wasn’t because of a holiday rush. It was PETA announced its “Hell on Wheels” truck would be parking outside their restaurant. The truck is wrapped with lifelike images of pigs and blasts recordings of squealing hogs on loop. Its goal? To get people to reconsider what’s on their plate.

“When you come out to an area like this where we’re all agricultural, and we’re a very tight-knit community, you don’t mess with one group—especially with our core feelings out here,” said Heath.

PETA TRUCK VISITS NORFOLK

Cherry County is one of the top beef cattle counties in the country, and locals rallied quickly.

“There was once I dressed up as a hot dog in college, but that was about it,” joked Birk Burge, who arrived in a full bacon costume on Sunday to show support. “So far a lot of selfies. So far a lot of comments.”

Burge was one of many who turned out in what he described as a “block party” atmosphere. The crowd was so large, PETA’s truck couldn’t find a place to park. When it eventually did, the driver declined to stay.

“I was watching online—people from all over Nebraska and South Dakota were ready to come and support Bulldogger’s,” Burge said.

News Channel Nebraska approached the driver, who declined to comment but handed out informational cards. In an email, the organization said: “Behind every pulled pork sandwich is a once-living, sensitive individual who was crammed onto a truck for a terrifying, miserable journey to their death.”

Burge said locals support ethical animal treatment—and also their local producers.

“Everyone treats their animals more ethically than probably in bigger places,” Burge said. “They take care of their cattle. They take care of their hogs. They take care of their pets. They’re not just out here mistreating them, but they are food. They are designed for food.”

At the end of the day, what did PETA’s visit serve up?

A record amount of pulled pork for Bulldogger's.

“The turnout has been fantastic,” Heath said. “We’re happy as hell with everything.”

PETA’s “Hell on Wheels” truck is scheduled to make additional stops in Norfolk and York before heading to Missouri.