Hog Heaven BBQ Sauce
The Journey
Hog Heaven was launched by Rod Ashby in 1993 and enjoyed a popular location on Highway 285 in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and had a Food Bus in Aurora. In late 2018, an offer was made on the location that was too good to refuse ~ the Bus got sold...
BUT THE SAUCE STILL FLOWS!
The Mission
The research began years before the restaurant was started, with Rod's passion for great bar-b-que and earning his
"Ph.D. in Ribology"
As a truck driver, Rod had plenty of opportunities to travel, think, and learn the secret of great barbeque. He would stop unannounced at barbeque places, introduce himself to the owner, share his idea, and eventually depart with "the secret recipe." Particularly helpful was the owner of Roxie's in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, who, like rib joint owners across America allowed Rod into the kitchen and in on the secret to great ribs.
"I spent a year just learning about pork ribs," says Rod. "Not just ribs - the beans are a whole other story." Along the way, Rod not only became a barbeque pitmaster but also created his national support group in the business. All the work and research have paid off, with locals and travelers alike stopping by for a bite. One visitor from Boston enjoyed the food so much she had a plate flown home to her husband.
It wasn't long before the demand for savory southern barbeque outgrew the little red caboose Rod found in Muskogee, Oklahoma, so Rod made the decision to expand and build a permanent building. The new Hog Heaven opened the end of 1999, and much to the delight of their customers, it's now open year 'round, six days a week.
Hog Heaven's goal was to serve great food at reasonable prices. Rod knows how good food is supposed to be served. Rod adds, "I've been traveling all my life and have seen it all".
