PB&J's BBQ, a food truck turned small barbecue shop, has planted roots in Brooklyn, Michigan, with a tiny brick-and-mortar that opened this week. The new storefront at 124 Irwin Street opened Wednesday, squeezes in about 15 seats and has plans for an outdoor seating area. Owner Bert McLain says he still plans to run the food truck on weekends.
According to MLive, the shop will be open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until it sells out. It will be closed the week of March 21, with a grand reopening planned for the following week. The business keeps fans posted on hours and schedule changes with updates on Facebook.
From Food Truck To Tiny Dining Room
McLain launched PB&J's as a food truck about five years ago, slowly building a following before making the leap to a permanent spot. He told MLive that the move to a storefront came straight from customer demand.
"I've gotten fired from corporate jobs because of my passion for barbecue," he said, adding that the brick-and-mortar lets him serve more customers on-site while still keeping the truck rolling on weekends.
How To Find It And What To Expect
Before opening the new shop, PB&J's had been serving out of Callghan's Coffee Cafe and popping up at events around the county. The Irwin Street location is meant to give those fans a steady home base to find their ribs and brisket instead of hunting the truck around town.
Patrons can check Facebook for menu details and schedule updates or call 517-581-5851 for information.
Small But Local-Minded
With only about 15 seats inside and outdoor seating still in the works, the storefront is intentionally compact, a complement to the truck rather than a replacement. McLain says he already has most weekends booked from spring through fall, a sign that the food truck plus tiny dining room setup could keep PB&J's busy through the warmer months.
