Rod Ashby
launched Hog Heaven in 1993, serving up the best barbeque on the 285
corridor from an old railroad caboose. But the research began years
before, with Rod's personally charted course to earning a sort of "Ph.D
in Ribology."
As a truck driver, Rod had plenty of opportunity
to travel, to think and learn the secret of great barbeque. Rod
would stop unannounced at barbeque places, introduce himself to the owner,
share his idea and eventually depart with "the secret recipe."
Especially helpful was the owner of Roxie's in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, who,
like rib joint owners across America, allowed Rod into the kitchen and
in on the secret to good ribs.
"I spent a year just learning about ribs,"
says Rod, "Just ribs - the beans are a whole other story."
Along the way, Rod not only became a pit-barbeque master, but also created
his own national support group in the business. All the work and research
has paid off, with locals and travelers alike stopping by for bite. One
visitor from Boston enjoyed the food so much she had a plate flown home
to her husband.
It wasn't long before demand for savory
southern barbeque outgrew the little red caboose Rod found in Muskogee,
Oklahoma, so Rod made the decision to expand and build a permanent building.
The new Hog Heaven opened the end of 1999,and much to the delight of
their customers, it's now open year 'round, six days a week.
Hog Heaven's goal is to serve great food
at reasonable prices. Rod knows how good food is suppose to be served.
Rod adds, "I've been traveling all my life and have seen it all."
Special orders and Catering are also available
with notice.
Rod now bottles his own recipe
for Hog
Heaven Bar-B-Que Sauce
He also has some colorful T-shirts
for Men and Tank or Spagetti Strap Tops for women. 
Great
baseball caps too!
Hog Heaven has been written
up in some prestigeous news publications too - such as Westword.
So,
What's Up With The Pig?
Hog Heaven's logo also came to Rod behind the wheel of his truck.
The pig is flying around heaven and lands happily on what he thinks is
a cloud. However, his expression turns slowly from one of delight
to one of confusion as his "nether regions" begin to heat up. Unbeknownst
to the pig, he has landed not on a cloud, but on the smoke from Rod's
Pit Smoker.
