A friendly smile greeting you at the door sets the tone for the experience that is Hog father's Old-Fashioned BBQ.
"A barbeque joint bordering on a diner" is how founder and owner Frank Puskarich describes his restaurant.
Homemade cooked to order meals paired with old-fashioned service creates the cozy "diner" atmosphere for the patrons. But they don't stop there in making you feel like a guest in their own home. "Friends, not customers" is the way Frank describes their attitude towards patrons. The friendly staff is quick to make you feel at home. Their goal is to deliver a level of service that is "beyond what's expected." That's the feeling you get when you walk through the doors at Hog father's.
"We treat you like you're family," says Frank's wife, Kathy, of the customer appreciation that filters from the top down through every valued employee.
So committed are the couple to creating a pleasurable dining experience that Frank says he "would rather hear compliments on my employees' service than on the food."
That doesn't mean that the food is not top priority. Frank's passion for food is the heart of Hog father's Old-Fashioned BBQ.
Frank and his partner in cooking, Josef Karst, spent many hours perfecting their art in Kathy's kitchen at home. They went so far in their quest for the tastiest, most satisfying recipes that they set up a stand and gave away food in return for a truthful opinion. Once the recipes were finalized it was time to meet the public.
Since opening on May 7th, 2007, the steady stream of customers is a testimony to the success of Frank and Josef's taste testings. Gilbert Collins, Frank's operating partner, now heads up the day to day operations. "Like all great BBQ joints, the ribs are hand rubbed before smoking, which then occurs at a low temperature for four hours with hickory wood," says Collins.
The result is a uniquely satisfying, mouth-watering rib and BBQ taste. This taste is showcased in their signature BBQ Ribs and Southern Fried Chicken Breast Combo. Diners can choose between the leaner, meatier baby back ribs or the tasty traditional St. Louis style ribs accompanied by a marinated, southern style deep-fried chicken breast. Finishing off the dish is Hog father's creamy cole slaw crafted from a secret recipe, and golden wedge fries seasoned with their very own fry salt.
BBQ Fish and Chips and Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp offer a variety of alternatives. On the go? Grab a BBQ Pork Sandwich with your choice of Spicy Red or Carolina Style sauces. The BBQ Beef Pot Roast Wrap combines hand pulled BBQ beef, cheddar cheese and coleslaw, wrapped in a flour tortilla.
The options don't stop with the main dishes. Homemade chili, baked beans, Sweet Potato Shoestrings and homemade Onion Straws are a great way to compliment your BBQ.
If you don't have the time to sit down, Hog father's has a drive-thru window for the convenience of those on the go. Don't feel like cooking for your next family gathering? They also specialize in catering for eight people or more - whether it's an outdoor wedding, picnic, work place gathering or something else, regardless of the time of year. Depending on your needs, Hog father's will bring the food ready to eat, or bring their mobile grill to your party and cook right there in front of you and your guests.
"It doesn't have to be summer to enjoy barbecue," says Frank.
For added convenience, Hog father's is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and offer daily lunch and dinner specials to fit all appetites.
Hog father's Old-Fashioned BBQ has proven so successful that two more restaurants are planned: one in Somerset, set to open on April 1; and the other in Indiana, opening in the spring. Until the other Hog father's open, there is still only one place to find the best barbeque in town. Located at 1301 Jefferson Avenue, Washington, PA, Hog father's is easy to get to but not easy to forget. To call your order in or for more information, call 724-229-1BBQ (1227).
As for the story behind the name Hog father's, that is not a secret. "It just came to me," says Frank.