INDIANAPOLIS — Pa and Ma's Backyard BBQ in Indianapolis has been serving up soul food dishes for decades.
"One thing they always stayed consistent, they say yall got some of the best food I've ever tasted," said Brockelle Nelson, the owner's daughter.
The Nelsons have been bringing the community together since 1995.
On Friday, the restaurant will be featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
"We've worked as a family so hard for this moment that I feel like we're prepared," said Nelson.
It took two days of filming in February. Staff even got to meet American restaurateur Guy Fieri after decades of hard work, and doing what they loved — cooking.
"This is our dream but this was initially his dream," said owner Monica Nelson about her husband George Nelson.
A dream George Nelson won't be able to see. He was shot and killed on Aug. 21.
"I'm ready to hear his voice," said Monica Nelson.
Monica says they got the call of when the show would air 10 days before George was killed.
"This is going to be a happy moment for me, but as you know...." said Monica Nelson as tears began to fill her eyes.
Tears of joy, she says as she began reminiscing.
"(In 1995) He saw a commercial on The Food Network. The commercial said: 'What would you do if you could do it for free?' He said I would cook," said Monica Nelson.
They eventually opened up a restaurant and for just $5, they fed the neighborhood.
"And then it just grew and grew and grew," said Monica Nelson.
They would later begin serving hot meals for just $10.
"We're feeding families," said Monica Nelson.
The Nelsons recalled what it was like meeting Guy Fieri.
"He was just awed. He said you all are selling meals for ten dollars? How do you do it? This is what we do," said Monica Nelson.
They'll continue to do it for their community and in honor of their loved one.
"Everybody had a special relationship with my dad. My dad employed the unemployable," said Brockelle Nelson. "We have teenagers who work with us. We have elders who work with us. We have people who were prior felons who worked with us. And so my dad was kind of like their everything."
A man who will be greatly missed.
"Being that he passed, how he passed, and for me, I didn't live here so I haven't seen my father since June, so to hear his voice and to kind of see him in all his glory, it will be a challenge and it's going to be bittersweet because this is something that he's really wanted," said Brockelle Nelson.
The Nelsons say they will carry on his legacy.
"He's always said, 'Baby, I'm carrying the business on my back.' I said 'well, if anything falls off I'm here to catch it. I'm here. I'm right here by your side' so now it's in our laps," said Monica Nelson.
Pa and Ma's Backyard BBQ will air on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4.