New barbecue restaurant opens near square
Charleston is getting a bit saucier with the addition of a new barbecue restaurant.
Pop’s BBQ was in the making for some time to come, said owner Ron “Pop” Stearns, who is 76 years old.
Stearns has been living in Charleston for the past 40 years. In those 40 years, he has become popular in the community with his barbecue foods before the restaurant even opened.
Pop’s BBQ opened March 18 and since its opening Stearn, said they have had lots of support and business from the area.
“I was a hobby barbecuer, with temporary permits for a number of years I barbecued. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” Stearns said.
Stearns considers the restaurant a family affair. He is working with his wife, children and grandchildren.
The restaurant is open seven days a week, Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Stearns follows certain methods of the way they make the food. One method is the use of fresh meats.
“The meat all comes from Dutch Valley Meats in Chesterville,” Stearns said. “We’re getting the best around.”
Another method Stearns follows is the type of grilling used. Pop’s BBQ does not use a gas grill because the smell will cook into the meats. At Pop’s BBQ, they use an automatic wood feeder, which feeds wood pellets into the grill.
Stearns learned all of his barbecue techniques on his own through trial and error, barbecue cookbooks and competitions.
One specialty of Pop’s BBQ is the sauce he makes which he calls SIN sauce. SIN stands for Southern Illinois Nectar. Stearns came up with this in the ’60s.
The menu offers an adequate amount of foods.
What Pop’s BBQ offers is the basics of barbecue foods; spare ribs, beef brisket sandwich, hickory smoked pulled pork sandwich, pork chops, baked beans, cole slaw and potato salad.
Currently the restaurant has carry-out and offers dinner options. Pop’s also sells meat by the pound and catering. The prices of meals range from $4.50 to $18.95.
A full menu is listed on Pop’s BBQ Facebook page. The restaurant has been open for a few weeks now and has almost 150 “likes” for the page.
There are not many other restaurants in the area with a barbecue centered menu, however there will be another barbecue restaurant opening soon on Lincoln Avenue.
“Soon we will start with delivery, but as of now it is all carry out,” Stearns said. “When the weather changes we can put out a few picnic tables so customers can eat outside.”
Stearns said there have been times where they have actually ran out of food because business has been going so well.
“I really want to thank the community, who has given us nothing but encouragement,” Stearns said.
Pop’s BBQ is located near the square at 302 Madison Ave.
Samantha Wilmes can be reached at 581-2812 or
New barbecue restaurant opens near square
Sign welcoming customers at Pops’s BBQ located near the square at 302 Madison Ave. (Submitted Photo