Joey and Melissa Counts are bringing barbecue back to Wagener. After many years of catering near and around their Springfield home, the Counts have succumbed to opening a restaurant. Melissa will continue to work her full time week-day job, but Joey is going to focus all his attention on the restaurant. Joey's Bar-B-Que features real pit-cooked pork, cooked 8 hours or more over an open flame and mixed with a secret barbeque sauce originating from Joey's uncle, O'neal "Bo Peep" Barr. However, Mr. Barr has yet to confirm that. When the recipe was credited to him, he backed up saying "Oh, no, no no no." Modesty? Or Paparazzi avoidance? Bo Peep and I are going to sit on the front porch rockers, drink some sweet tea and have a chat. I am going to charm the socks off him and get to the bottom of the secret recipe story. I'm gonna get me a whole bunch of other stories while I'm at it, too. Just me, Mr. Bo Peep, a front porch rocker and some of Joey's BBQ. Big Plans, have I.
I swung by the restaurant on the day before they opened, mainly because I was drawn in by the yummy smells, but I also wanted to see how things were going. The place was buzzing with excitement. Everybody was worn just about plumb out, but was excited like kids on Christmas Eve; it was so much fun just to be there. The Counts interviewed several people and ended up with 12 employees, a couple of which are high-schoolers. These ladies were having a ball in the kitchen when I passed through; they were working on the sauce.
In addition to pit-cooked barbeque and homemade hash, Joey's bar-b-que will be serving seasoned vegetables and traditional buffet foods every Thursday - Sunday. Thursday - Saturday hours will be 11 - 9 and prices are as follows: Adults, $9, Children 6-10, $5, Children 2-5 $3. Sunday hours are 11 - 2 and prices are as follows on Sunday: Adults $10, Children 6-10 $6, Children 2-5 $4. Sunday prices are higher because the food is different for Sunday dinner. Meals are buffet style and tea is included.
Joey's Bar-B-Que, 314 Railroad Ave. East (Hwy. 39). 803.564.3448. You can keep up with the latest news, fun and information on Joey's Twitter, @JoeysBBQ.