A new barbecue restaurant featuring an experienced pitmaster who smokes meat cooked “low and slow with a lot of sweetness” is set to open north of Galesburg.
Po Boy BBQ makes its debut at 11 a.m. today at 2203 US 150, which was most recently the second home of the Rib Shack and once the Kozy Inn. The new barbecue restaurant will be run by pitmaster Bill Villarreal and owned by his mother Karen Stamm.
Villarreal previously owned and operated High Noon BBQ in Galesburg.
“This is what I do, man,” Villarreal said. “Barbecue is my passion.”
He describes his barbecue as “Kansas City style with a Texas twist. And it’s all prepared low and slow, fresh every day, with a lot of sweetness.”
Villarreal said Po Boy BBQ will feature traditional barbecue dishes like pulled pork, ribs, chicken and brisket. They will also offer half-pound, Black Angus burgers and cheeseburgers prepared on the the charbroiler.
Other popular sandwiches on the menu will include a pulled pork grilled cheese and Karen’s hand-pounded tenderloins.
Haystack onion rings are on the menu, while sides include French fries, coleslaw, potato salad, green beans with new potatoes, and smoked baked beans that Villarreal said are “known from coast to coast.”
Po Boy offers inside dining with booths and tables, and has a drive-up window for to-go orders.
Hours of operation will be 2:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
Po Boy BBQ can be reached at (309) 344-RIBS (7427).