Podnuh’s Bar-B-Q: Just like it used to be

John Hopper called. He said he wants his restaurants back. That’s exactly what the Monroe restaurateur did when he bought the two local Podnuh’s Bar-B-Q locations in January. Hopper originally founded the original Monroe restaurant in 1977 with partners Jerry Keever and Fred Moses. They expanded into six markets, and 12 restaurants later they sold it in 2000.

“I just hated to see them being run with all things changed. People didn’t like it,” Hopper said. “The rude staff ran off as many people as the bad food did. I just wanted to bring it back, just like it used to be.”

So Hopper hired a new staff and brought back the original barbecue recipes, including his well-known chopped beef brisket sandwich. Both Podnuh’s locations on Sherwood Forest and Florida Boulevard will keep the same hours.