Our pitmaster retired from the Army National Guard after 36 years of service. The name "Popping Smoke Barbecue" reflects back to this experience. 

"Popping smoke"  is Military slang for “goodbye”, or “I'm leaving”.  This term draws it's meaning from soldiers literally popping smoke grenades to mark an extraction zone. Normally done at the conclusion of a mission, immediately before the soldiers leave that operating area.

On of our other tag lines,  “Smoke 'em if you got 'em” is a phrase popular in the United States military during World War II, meaning to take a break. Officers would say "Smoke 'em if you got 'em", allowing the soldiers to take a break and smoke their cigarettes, "if you got' em" referring to the vagaries of war.

Cigarettes were nearly impossible to get in Europe during that time because of the deprivations of the war. Along with nylon stockings for women, cigarettes were a luxury item that took on cultural importance beyond their monetary value. Soldiers got a daily allotment of cigarettes with their K ration, the 1940s combat ration equivalent of modern Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs).

Not all soldiers smoked, and unsmoked cigarettes became a War Department currency. The soldiers traded freely across all borders and social classes. Seventy-five years later, the phrase was a touchstone used in all media to evoke a former heroic period.

We specialize in smoked barbecue - done with Montucky flair. What does that mean?

“Montucky” (a term used by rural Montanans to affectionately refer to the backwoods portions of the state) refers to the "simple" fun we find in Montana. Bonfire parties, hunting camps, beer and whiskey drinking, rodeos, branding parties and just howling at the moon in general.

So "Montucky flair" could almost be the famous "Hold my beer and watch this." We are going to do it while having fun and sharing with others. 

That's the "vibe" we want to provide - simple, fun and open. We like to think we are cooking for friends we haven't met yet.