Our story.
From a backyard hobby to two full service restaurants, Smoking Pig BBQ Company has enjoyed a fun and fabulous journey thanks to you, our guests.
Soon after learning the difference between grilling and smoking, Paul was hooked.
The challenge inherent in smoking meats was just the thing he enjoyed. He quickly made a smoker for the backyard out of two 55 gallon drums and began his journey. Through the bitter and black Thanksgiving turkeys, the rubbery brisket, overcooked ribs and everything in between, his passion for the art only increased. With each small success came a burning desire to improve even more.
After some time, there were the random compliments on the food from neighbors and friends.
Then came the requests for Holiday Turkeys and Hams, along with Ribs and other items like pies and appetizers. The positive feedback kept coming in to a somewhat skeptical BBQ chef - in - training.
After yet another down cycle in the semiconductor industry, one of many over 30 years, Paul toyed with the idea of doing BBQ full time. Fortunately, his wife Jessica was all for the idea of starting a business and trying to make our way. So, they commissioned a rig and started catering in a small way. Although somewhat successful, Paul, being Paul, really wanted a restaurant. And the search was on for the right location and now, 4 ½ years later, Smoking Pig BBQ has become a local favorite with a tremendously faithful and wonderful fan base.
Paul is ever grateful and full of admiration for the strength and support Jessica gave this venture, without which our success would not have been possible.
San Jose, CA
Smoking Pig San Jose
Our N 4th Street pit has been smoking for downtown San Jose since 2011 — the original room, the original crew, and the same stubborn refusal to cut a corner.Low & slow · the only way worth doing
The neighborhood.
Right in downtown San Jose — walkable from SoFA, SJSU and the Sharks arena, easy off N 4th St.Neighbors · SJSU staff · SJPD & SJFD · city hall crews · Japantown regulars · Sharks fans who need dinner before puck dropDowntown SJ · built for the 408
The mission.
Feed the block that raised us. Sponsor the little leagues, feed the first responders, keep the door open late for the swing-shift crowd.Rooted on 4th · loyal to the 408
Fremont, CA
Smoking Pig Fremont
The Mowry Ave pit opened to feed the East Bay the way we've always fed San Jose — wood-smoked, no gas assist, no apologies.Low & slow · the only way worth doing
The neighborhood.
Easy off Mowry Ave, minutes from Central Park, the Tesla campus and the Warm Springs BART shuttle.Neighbors · Fremont PD & Fremont Fire · Tesla and Lam Research shifts · Mission San Jose parents · Ohlone College studentsMowry corridor · fed by the factory shift
The mission.
Be the East Bay's backyard cookout — feed the shift workers on the way home, cater the block parties, and never let a family leave hungry.East Bay grown · shift-worker approved
Las Vegas, NV
Smoking Pig Las Vegas
Our North Las Vegas pit brought Bay Area BBQ to the desert in 2019 — same family, same wood pile, tuned for Nevada heat and Nellis appetites.Low & slow · the only way worth doing
The neighborhood.
Five minutes from the main gate at Nellis AFB, quick shot from Sunrise Manor and the Speedway.Neighbors · Nellis AFB airmen · LVMPD & LVFR · Speedway crews · North Vegas families · Raiders and Golden Knights tailgatersNorth LV · military town · game-day HQ
The mission.
Take care of the airmen, the tailgaters and the swing-shift Vegas that never gets talked about. Real BBQ, no gimmicks, no strip prices.Off-strip · on-duty · always hospitable