Smoky B’s: “we make it from scratch”

It all started with a $100 smoker. “I just kind of fell in love with it,” began Brandon Gann, owner of Smoky B’s BBQ Truck. “The smoking process and being outside for the 12 to 16 hours it takes to do it, I really loved it all.”

And while he was working at this thing he loved something started to happen.

People began to love what he was doing, too. They started to tell Brandon he should go into business and sell the delicious results of his labors behind the smoker.

“Eventually I thought I was ready to bring it to the public. I decided to open a food truck and see where it takes me,” Brandon recalled. He opened on August 1, 2020. Their main location is in Van Buren, AR. But they also quickly moved into doing events and catering in Fayetteville and Springdale. They also make the rounds of most of the local events and festivals, and have even catered a number of weddings.

The menu features BBQ favorites like brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs and smoked wings, but Brandon makes them uniquely his own. “We put a little twist on it,” he said. “We also have things like a smoked Boudin cajun sausage. I try to keep it interesting.”

Even the sides feature culinary creativity. “I create the beans from scratch,” Brandon said. “The potato salad is my mom’s from a recipe that has been in the family for a long time. We have a chipotle cole slaw that is my wife and her sister’s creation.” The barbecue sauce is a family original created from scratch by Brandon’s wife.

“I figured out a way to make my own seasoning, so all of the seasonings that go on the meat I created,” Brandon noted. “Literally everything on the menu is made by us. We don’t buy any product from anybody. We make it from scratch. That what really sets up apart from other BBQ businesses around.”

Brandon feels a side benefit of having the business is getting to work with his family. “The whole family just came together to do this and it has really brought us all closer,” he said. “Before the BBQ business I might talk to my sister on the phone once a week or see her on the weekends. But with this we talk every single day. We keep it all very family oriented.”

Smoky B’s BBQ Truck is located in Van Buren in the center of town on Fayetteville Rd. most every weekend. They open at 11 and regular customers know to show up early before they sell out.