Owner of Rich’s Smoke Ring BBQ Making a Comeback with The Disgruntled Pig

Expect many of the same favorites—and even the same truck!

Neil Cooney
Written By Neil Cooney
News Writer
Photo: Rich's Smoke Ring BBQ Official

Baker County Barbecue lovers may remember Rich’s Smoke Ring BBQ, a Southern barbecue food truck active from 2018 to 2022—and which, despite having sold its vehicle in 2022, never really went away.

“I did it full-time from 2018 to 2022, and I’ve been taking a break. But I’ve still done catering for certain events,” owner Richard Wilkinson told What Now on Thursday.

Now, Wilkinson is hitting the streets again, this time under a new name: The Disgruntled Pig. Serving Clay County, the Disgruntled Pig will feature the same favorites: pork, beef brisket, pulled pork, pork spare ribs, turkey, and more. Plus, of course, there are sides like homemade mac and cheese, baked beans, and corn casserole.

During the Rich’s Smoke Ring hiatus, Wilkinson said he began pricing food trucks, when something unexpected happened.

“It’s an interesting story because the food truck I had, I had sold in 2022. From ‘22 all the way until now, I’ve been looking and waiting for the right time. Then, about a month ago, I found the same exact food truck that I had sold. It had never even been used.”

Do, in other words, call it a comeback. Fans of Rich’s Smoke Ring will soon be able to find the BBQ they love in Clay County. (The Doctors Lake Marina is one likely spot.)

“We’re getting it cranked back up now, still in the development stages,” Wilkinson said. “Hoping to be up and running by April.”

For the moment, you can still follow Rich’s Smoke Ring BBQ on Facebook.

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Neil Cooney is a freelance writer. He has received an MFA in Creative Writing from Syracuse University, and his work has been published in the Masters Review. Based in Nashville, he spends his free time cooking Korean food and studying chess.
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