The idea for Mutt's BBQ stemmed from a long family tradition in Randy Jones' family.
His grandfather, on special occasions, especially Christmas, dug an open pit, cut hickory wood, made his special sauce, and presented his family with a whole pig, prepared to perfection. Years later, his son Mutt, desiring to pass along the tradition to his sons, began having “pig pickings” every Thanksgiving.
Friends, neighbors, and family were all invited. As many as 150 still gather on Thanksgiving Day for this special feast.
Mutt was well-known for finding people jobs, and it was on Thanksgiving Day in 1996 when Mutt had the idea that someone should open a BBQ restaurant. The idea became a dream to his son Randy, who had been in the restaurant business for 27 years.
Randy devoted the next year and a half to developing the dream.
With the help of an architect, Randy designed a cozy family atmosphere, complete with trains, murals, and an open fireplace. He borrowed his mom's recipes, his father's nickname, and his dream became reality with the opening of the first Mutt's BBQ in Greer, SC in November 1998.
Co-founder and publisher of Destination BBQ and author of Going Whole Hog. Since 2012, he has covered South Carolina barbecue restaurants, history, and culture.
Written in South Carolina by a South Carolinian who has rubbed elbows with the best pit masters and who has sat at the tables of the many BBQ restaurants in South Carolina doing his homework. This book provides not just recipes but the background into how the recipes came about with a clear insight into… Read more "Fantastic Cookbook"