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The Legend of Bonedaddy
Some people say they knew him in Memphis, down on Beale Street cooking his famous barbeque as the sound of the blues drifted by with the sweet smell of the hickory smoke. Others lay claim to shooting pool with him in Nashville at that pool hall down on lower Broadway. Yet others tell great tales of his barbeque joint down a dirt road in L.A. (Lower Alabama).
Legend has it that Bonedaddy was born in Tennessee, the heart of the barbeque nation. Surrounded by Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and the Carolinas he grew up over barbeque pits of all shapes and sizes. Techniques ranged from traditional to sublime. Bonedaddy started cooking for friends at college and pretty soon there was a party at his house every weekend! Bonedaddy would always stop at every barbeque joint he could find, tasting their “Q” and comparing it to his. It was during this time that he perfected his first sauce. It would be twenty years before he had developed all of the great varieties of BBQ sauces he now offers
However after a 10-year apprenticeship with his father, Bonedaddy was ready to start out on his own. Rumor has it Bonedaddy started his first pig stand in Nashville next to a Centennial Park. Located adjacent to a local pub, Hog Heaven became an overnight success in just a few years. His award winning ‘Que was the hit of the Music City and won several awards.
Bonedaddy started traveling the South on the competition circuit and won many events. Bonedaddy even competed in the World Championships in Memphis one year and came within a just a few points of winning the whole deal!
Bonedaddy eventually sold out his pig stand and moved to Florida, living on the beach on A1A, the prettiest road in the Southeast. Living out his dream turned out to be harder than he thought. Although living on the beach was great, Bonedaddy was overwhelmed by all of the “Southern Yankees’ that have taken over South Florida!
After ten years of New York living in South Florida, Bonedaddy vowed to return and moved back “up South”. Landing in the great State of Alabama, Bonedaddy and his family took up residence in Hoover. Now he can be found cooking at Sweet Bones Alabama. How sweet is that?
View Chefs' Secrets Recipe & Techniques: Bonedaddy John Cowan & Barbecue Ribs