What started as an excuse to drink beers outside, quickly became an obsession and now a career.
Old Bruce J BBQ began with a hand-me-down smoker and a few friends gathering on weekends to learn the art of barbecue. What started as a simple excuse to enjoy beers outdoors quickly transformed into a passion that grew into a thriving business.
Bruce’s approach to barbecue is rooted in Michigan’s rich culinary traditions, drawing inspiration from local flavors like apples, cherries, and apple cider.
For over a decade, the Old Bruce J BBQ team has dedicated itself to learning, experimenting, and refining its barbecue techniques and recipes. After years of serving friends in our backyard, we officially launched our business in the winter of 2019. Since then, we’ve catered and hosted over 300 events, proudly serving Michigan-style barbecue.
Our BBQ is smoked over Kingsford charcoal and local fruitwoods on a custom offset rig. Guided by the motto, “we’re making it up as we go,” we embrace the learning process, constantly improving through trial and error. Over the past five years, our recipes, systems, and live-fire cooking skills have only gotten better, reflecting our commitment to craft and quality.
Bruce J
Pitboss & Founder
Bruce, a Royal Oak, MI native, developed his passion for barbecue in his own backyard, where he initially took responsibility for managing the firebox. What began as a personal interest quickly evolved into a deep commitment to mastering the craft of barbecue.
Over the past seven years, Bruce has successfully grown his business by 9% YOY, catering over 300 events in the last four years alone. Today, he is often found overseeing operations at his custom-built pit, outfitted in his BBQ uniform, cowboy boots, jeans, BBQ hat, and his signature BBQ stick—an essential tool for any seasoned pitboss.
The Origin of the Swinehorn
Drawing inspiration from the allusive Jackalope, we combined a pig (swine) and a cow (longhorn) to make our mascot and logo, the Swinehorn. While Bruce J, our founder, is not technically old, he is a good old boy and a friend to all, before you know it you will catch yourself calling Old Bruce J!
Oak Park, MI
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