We're a family-owned business bringing back high-quality food that's prepared simply - using fresh ingredients and top-quality meats. Served up with Texas hospitality.

I grew up in South Austin. Summers when I was a young boy, my brother and I used to go down to Rockport and visit my grandparents. "Papaw" (Jim Yerkes), owned a BBQ place named Jim's Smokehouse. My brother and I worked in the restaurant, and I was always interested in how he smoked the meats. He ran a successful business from 1970 to 1985.

I ended up in the restaurant business after high school. I helped open Mezzaluna in the late 80's. In 1993 I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in upstate New York and returned to Austin. I was the chef at Siena for several years. Then I got out of the restaurant business for a while and raised a family. But I always enjoyed cooking and smoking meats for my family and friends. Now my kids are grown, and it's time to follow my calling. I want to bring back my version of Jim's Smokehouse here in Austin.

- Brad