September 3, 2024
I swung by JD’s Bar-B-Q recently. It is a food truck based out of Kingman Kansas, but it really travels around. I’ve seen it in Pratt, Kansas, Haviland Kansas, Kinsley, Kansas, Greensburg Kansas, Ashland, Kansas, Coldwater, Kansas and of course in Kingman. One thing about food trucks in western Kansas is they travel like the people do — everywhere.
I’ve told this story once before, but it was only once and a year ago.
The truck is owned by Mike Swigart. He and his father moved to Burns, Kansas from Missouri in 1975 when Mike was 15-years old. His father John opened up The Double S/S Saloon there in 1980. It was membership only and served ribs, brisket, prime rib, ribeye steaks and burgers.
Later in 1995 Mike and his dad started building their first mobile food truck. Unfortunately Mike’s father passed away shortly thereafter.
Mike has used his dad’s recipes for twenty-eight years. The smoker Mike uses for his barbecue is from his father-in-law Dave Hopkins. Hence JD’s (John/his father and Dave/his father in law) Bar-B-Q.
When I stopped by for the second time I ordered a 6 oz Hot Link on a bun with BBQ Pulled Pork on top. It was very good. Mike makes some dang good barbecue. Lots of flavor.
— TKG
