"Have BBQ will travel!"

Joe Nunes was born and raised in Santa Maria , California in the tradition of old-style Santa Maria Barbecue. He fell in the footsteps of his parents – his father, a welder, and his mother, a steakhouse cook, taught him everything they knew. Joe grew up learning to weld like his father and cook like his mother – and found himself learning to barbecue at a very young age, for family and friends.

He took up welding as a profession and worked as a welder/fabricator in the union for 22 years, doing barbecue on the side. Over the years he built barbecue pits for hotels & resorts, and gradually developing his own idea for a better barbecue. When he injured his back and found himself having to reconsider his career and priorities, friends and family who had been enjoying his delicious barbecue for years began to encourage him to consider barbecue catering. It was there that Joe truly found his niche, serving his famous Santa Maria style barbecue and putting smiles on people's faces.

Joe's skill as a welder came in handy when he created his barbecue. Calling on past experience and improving on design, he wanted something that grilled like an open fire pit but would accommodate both large and small crowds. The new smoker cooks more consistently than other models– and keeping with tradition, Joe still uses the same seasoning blend as was done in the 50's and 60's – Old West style Barbecue with a kick.