Carol Wagner, Leader Correspondent
Photo by Carol Wagner Brian and Peggy Johnson opened Bubba’s BBQ Co., a family restaurant, at 114 S. Main St. in Shawano.
Photo by Carol Wagner Brian Johnson carves up beef brisket for a customer at Bubba’s BBQ Co. in Shawano. Everything at the restaurant is made fresh from scratch, including smoking all the meat.
A new family restaurant where “Texas style barbecue is served Texas style” opened Feb. 20 in downtown Shawano.
Brian and Peggy Johnson opened Bubba’s BBQ Co. at 114 S. Main St., formerly home of Final Lap sports bar.
“It’s like a dream,” Peggy Johnson said. “We’ve been barbecue connoisseurs for a long time. This is our first venture. Everybody in Shawano has been supportive.”
Brian Johnson was a restaurant manager in Texas, where he lived for 11 years, before moving to Wisconsin. He smokes the meat in two large smokers — the brisket and pork are smoked for over 15 hours — and makes three sauces.
“If it’s not smoked, it’s not barbecue,” he said.
All the food is made from scratch, some of it under customers’ watchful eyes.
“They get to watch me slice up their meat to order,” Johnson said. “I’m a firm believer in actually making the food.”
The restaurant offers brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, sausage and chicken, which can be served by the pound, by the plate, in a combo, in a sandwich or any other way the customer wants.
Side dishes include creamed corn, macaroni and cheese, BBQ beans, borracho beans, coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread and fries. Brownies, applesauce and molasses cookies also are available, and there is a kids menu.
The bar will have specialty beers along with the restaurant’s signature drink, a made-from-scratch old-fashioned.
Future plans include a fish fry.
“Our number one goal is an amazing product — great food and bar, atmosphere and customer service,” Johnson said. “I really want a fun, relaxed atmosphere for people to feel like they are at a picnic.”
Customers have already enjoyed snapping photos of their children riding a saddled pig statue. The Johnsons also plan a pig pen and a pig naming contest for the kids.
Brian is excited to have his own place and a downtown location.
“Good barbecue is a destination thing,” he said. “I’m dedicated to making downtown a cool place again.”
The inside of the former bar has been completely redone with new lighting and redecorated walls.
The atmosphere is important to Peggy, too, who plans to add more original art work. She is an art teacher at Clintonville High School.
“She’s my right-hand lady,” Brian said. ”I’m proud of her. She’s done a lot.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Bubba’s BBQ Co.
WHERE: 114 S. Main St., Shawano
WHEN: The kitchen will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends. The bar will stay open later
WHO: Owners Brian and Peggy Johnson
FYI: Takeout is available by calling 715-526-9099.