Sugarfi re Smoke House

Sugarfi re offers a creative, fresh menu

The Meat Daddy. Big Muddy. Turkey Bacon Rancher. These are only a few of the many reasons why Farmington’s Sugarfi re Smoke House recently earned the Best of the Parkland award for Best Barbecue.

Brothers Charles and Patrick Johnson opened the “chef-inspired and chef-driven” restaurant in January 2018. Charles is acting chef while Patrick is manager of catering and equipment. Leanna Johnson, their mother, is the dessert baker who helps oversee the restaurant.

There are now 15 locations of the growing brand of Sugarfi re restaurants in Missouri and other states.

“We offer the same core menu items,” said Leanna, “but chefs are given leeway to be creative with daily specials.”

Creating daily specials is a collaborative effort. Employees come up with an idea and everyone gives feedback. Once the dish is perfected, it’s added to the menu for that day. Manager Colten Spencer often comes up with creative dishes for daily specials.

“We all taste it,” said Leanna. “Sometimes it’s a planned item or it might be created on a whim.”

Pitmaster Bobby Bourbon begins work early in the morning to prepare Sugarfi re’s top-selling turkey and brisket, along with ribs and pulled pork. The brisket and pork are smoked for 16 hours before they’re ready to serve. The meats are cooked in Ole Hickory commercial smokers manufactured in Cape Girardeau.

The smoked meats are certainly the showcase for any meal from Sugarfi re. From the Meat Daddy – four-bone rib, brisket, pulled pork, turkey and specially made jalapeno cheddar sausage from Ste. Genevieve’s Oberle Meats – to combo plates to smoked salmon to salads, there are many items from which customers can choose for dine-in or carryout. Sides can be purchased in single servings or quart or gallon sizes.

Many of Sugarfi re’s sauces are made in-house including the Texas hot, Carolina mustard and their signature white sauce, along with their apple cider vinaigrette, ranch and dressings for their coleslaw and potato salad. They also use the Sugarfi re recipe for their barbecue rub.

A few unique products are sourced from other familyowned businesses including Excel bottled and fountain drinks, freshly-baked breads from Fazio’s Bakery and Ronnie’s Ice Cream from St. Louis, and LaRue artesian bottled water.

“It’s very labor-intensive because we make everything fresh,” said Leanna. “Our goal is to serve high-quality products with no preservatives.”

When customers arrive at Sugarfi re, they’re greeted by unique artwork by Brandon Warren and Samson LaMonds, along with colorful, comfy seating. The handlettered menu boards offer an abundance of items to choose, from meats to side dishes, specialty sandwiches, salads, from-scratch desserts, and other sweet treats including adult shakes.

Leanna said there are several reasons she feels customers continue to choose Sugarfi re for the Best Barbecue award.

“We cook fresh food, and we don’t even have a microwave,” she said, “but primarily, it’s because we take pride in providing the best and freshest products possible and have excellent customer service.”

Sugarfi re Smoke House offers 10% discounts to military, EMS and fi refi ghters.

Sugarfi re Smoke House 670 Walton Drive, Farmington 573-713-9099

Sugarfi resmokehouse.com/ locations/mo-farmington/

Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (or until they sell out)

Leanna Johnson displays a slice of freshly-baked pie at Sugarfi re Smoke House. Johnson bakes the pies from scratch each morning. Patrick Johnson shows off Sugarfi re Smoke House’s signature sandwich, the Big Muddy. This towering creation includes brisket, smoked sausage, horseradish sauce, BBQ sauce, lettuce and pickles. Patrick and brother Charles own the restaurant.

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Radio Station

J98 The Boot WINNER 1401 KREI Blvd. Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-6476 www.mymoinfo.com

B104 Finalist MKS Broadcasting PO Box 36, Park Hills, MO 63601 573-431-1000 www.b104fm.com Froggy 96 Finalist 900 E Karsch Blvd., Farmington, MO 63640 www.froggy96online.com

Summer Camp

Bates Creek Camp WINNER 10361 Quarry Rd., Potosi, MO 63664 (573) 431-5140 www.facebook.com/batescreekcamp/

YMCA Finalist 13528 State Hwy AA , Potosi, MO 63664 888-FUN-YMCA 573-438-2155 www.ymcaoftheozarks.org

Camp Penuel Finalist 10451 MO-72, Ironton, MO 63650 (573) 546-3020 www.camp-penuel.org

Tourist Attraction

Elephant Rocks WINNER 7406 MO-21, Belleview, MO 63623 (573) 546-3454 www.mostateparks.com/park/elephantrocks-state-park

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Bonne Terre Mine/Dive Shop Finalist 185 Park Ave, Bonne Terre, MO 63628 (314) 209-7200

FASHION

www.bonneterremine.com Children’s Clothing

Apple Blossom Children’s Boutique WINNER 110 N Lincoln St, Desloge, MO 63601 (573) 327-9711 www.facebook.com/appleblossomchildrensboutique/ Little Ones Children’s Boutique Finalist 315 W E Main St, Park Hills, MO 63601 (573) 482-0833 www.little-ones-childrens-boutique.myshopify.com

JCPenney Finalist 734 Market St, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-8125 www.stores.jcpenney.com/mo/farmington/ clothing-stores-farmington-mo-0258.html

Jewelry Store

Krekeler Jewelers WINNER 216 E Columbia St, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-3625 www.krekelerjewelers.com

Diamonds & More Jewelers Finalist 419 W Karsch Blvd., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 747-0088 www.diamondsandmorejewelers.com

Kay Jewelers Finalist 701 W Karsch Blvd Suite 1, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 747-1037 www.stores.kay.com

Mens Clothing

Rural King WINNER 3967 Bray Rd, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 747-1107 www.ruralking.com

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Famous Footwear WINNER 749 Market St, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 705-7075 www.famousfootwear.com

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Women’s Clothing

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FINANCE, INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE

Bank Services

First State Community Bank WINNER All Area Locations (573) 756-4547 www.fscb.com

Belgrade State Bank Finalist All Area Locations (573) 760-9000 www.belgradestatebank.com New Era Bank Finalist All Area Locations (573) 431-2801 https://www.newerabank.com

Credit Union

Leadco Community Credit Union WINNER 820 E Main St, Park Hills, MO 63601 (573) 431-1882 www.leadco.org

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Employer/Workplace

First State Community Bank WINNER All Area Locations (573) 756-4547 www.fscb.com

Parkland Health Center Finalist 1101 W Liberty St, Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-6451 www.parklandhealthcenter.org

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Financial Planning Services

O’Neal Tax Services WINNER 9362 Berry Rd, Bonne Terre, MO 63628 (573) 358-7414 www.onealtaxservice.com

Belgrade State Bank Finalist All Area Locations (573) 760-9000 www.belgradestatebank.com

First State Financial Finalist All Area Locations (573) 756-4547 www.fscb.com Eric Schweiss (State Farm Insurance) WINNER 201 W Karsch Blvd., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 760-1000 www.ericschweiss.com

Ronnie Gibbs (American Family Insurance) Finalist 110 St Mary St., Pilot Knob, MO 63663 (573) 546-7101 705 W Main St Fredericktown, MO 63645 (573) 783-5544 www.agent.amfam.com

Edward Felker (American Family Insurance) Finalist 560 Maple Valley Dr., Farmington, MO 63640 (573) 756-6482 agent.amfam.com _____________________________________

Insurance Company

American Family Insurance WINNER All Area Locations 1 (800) 692-6326 www.amfam.com

State Farm Finalist All Area Locations 1 (800) 782-8332 www.statefarm.com

Strange Insurance LLC Finalist 107 E Wayne St, Ironton, MO 63650 (573) 546-2929