Sauce, Smoke, and a Cartoonist

The story of Cowtown BBQ sauce and rubs is a true Kansas City original, born from the competitive spirit of pitmaster Jeff Stehney and his "Slaughterhouse Five" barbecue team. After winning numerous awards on the circuit, Jeff and his wife Joy opened the now-legendary restaurant, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, in a Kansas City gas station.

To bring their championship flavors to the public, they launched the Cowtown BBQ brand. For the brand's iconic look, they turned to beloved local cartoonist Charlie Podrebarac. Known for his work in The Kansas City Star and his distinct "Cowtown" comic series, Podrebarac designed the playful, western-themed cow logo and branding that has become instantly recognizable.

The sauce quickly gained fame, most notably winning the title of "Best Sauce on the Planet" at the 2001 American Royal World Series of Barbecue. The combination of Stehney's award-winning recipes and Podrebarac's classic Kansas City artistry created a brand that is a staple in the world of barbecue.