Brother’s Keeper BBQ, a Long Beach-based curator of smoked meats led by Maurice “Mo” Stewart, is considering making 3701 E. 4th Street in Long Beach its permanent home.
The proposed location was previously home to the original MVPs and later Prime by Shenandoah, which closed in 2021, according to Longbeachize. While no final decision has been confirmed, Stewart will host a pop-up event at the space on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from noon until it sells out. Attendees can expect oak-smoked meats, dry-rubbed ribs, and other barbecue dishes that showcase the brand’s time-tested traditions.
Brother’s Keeper BBQ began as Mac & Mo Smoke in 2018, a partnership between Stewart and Brandon McIntosh. Stewart has won a local competition hosted by barbecue legend and James Beard Award-winner Kevin Bludso and claimed back-to-back titles at the Long Beach BBQ Festival. The brand has built a following for its Central Texas-style barbecue, which emphasizes “low and slow” cooking, dry rubs, and oak wood sourced from The Woodshed in Orange County.
Stewart, born and raised in Los Angeles, learned to cook from his grandmother, Dorothy Stewart, who passed away on September 20, 2025, at the age of 93. He attended California State University, Long Beach, and draws on family culinary traditions that combine heritage flavors with modern barbecue techniques. The potential 4th Street location represents a step toward establishing a permanent Long Beach home for the brand.
The menu features tender pork ribs with a smoky oak flavor, seasoned simply with house rubs that highlight a rich bark and natural meat flavor. Brother’s Keeper BBQ is dedicated to the pursuit of “full and satisfied stomachs,” offering carefully smoked meats, seasonal sides, and dishes crafted to appeal to both barbecue enthusiasts and casual diners.
Considering Long Beach’s history of Black-owned restaurants and community spaces, the proposed permanent location underscores the brand’s commitment to local culture and providing a neighborhood gathering spot for quality, traditional barbecue.
