Meet Jacob Viers | Founder and Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Viers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I moved to Colorado from Iowa ten years ago I found myself in a land desolate of good BBQ. Back home there was a small neighborhood BBQ spot called Woody’s Smokeshack. Woody used cherry wood and the atmosphere inside his small BBQ joint was warm and welcoming. It matched right up with the experience I was trained to deliver working for Texas Roadhouse. His ribs single-boningly changed my direction in life! With the hunger to change the BBQ scene in Denver opening a food truck became my plan to do so. After operating the food truck year-round for three and a half years, I was fortunate enough to open my first brick and mortar.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Growing up with my Grandma I was constantly around the kitchen. She was the matriarch that kept the flock together. Every weekend and some weeknights she would make a scratch made meal for the family. A lot of her seasoning consisted of salt and pepper. Once I got my first restaurant job at Texas Roadhouse I realized there was a method to cooking consistently and with more flavor. As well as gaining cooking knowledge from the Nationally top 5 crew, I was also taught a work ethic. I moved to Colorado and felt the BBQ void. After a year of living in the state my cousin introduced me to a southern belle named Haley. She was an outgoing and extremely personal individual that I immediate grew fond of. She had a love for fatty brisket and had the southern BBQ roots from Alabama to Texas. We started to visualize our own BBQ business. So I bought a 2001 step van to get the ball rolling. Tragedy stuck on May 2nd 2016 when she suffered a seizure in her sleep. That day was also a turning point in my life as I lost the person I was closest to. Everyday was a chore to stay focused and positive. One day I discovered Gque BBQ and the comfort I received eating that food helped me through a time like I had never experienced. BBQ made me feel just a little more comfort.

Being depressed and down wouldn’t be acceptable in Haley’s world. I realized that one day and got back to work on our dream. I got back to work on brainstorming a mobile food concept. I got back to work on coming up with a brand name. With her in mind from day to day it helped fuel the fire to complete the task. Seasoned Swine was born in February 2017 and debuted at Odyssey June 2nd 2017.

Opening a food truck set up its own set of hurdles and challenges. Learning along the way, Seasoned Swine gained momentum from treating people how we wanted to be treated and slanging mouth-watering cherry smoked BBQ. If I have learned anything along the way it would be to keep going. Keep your eyes on the prize. Surround yourself with people who inspire you to do great things. Set small goals and do whatever it takes to reach them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If it were right now in the middle of the summer, I’d have to start by heading up the hill to the high country. I’d rent a Jeep and hit the remote trails the pioneers and miners created! Some folks live a lifetime without witnessing the vastness of the Rocky Mountains. A few of the restaurants we would go to would include; Gque, Ice Cream Farm, Temaki Den, and some of the Mexican Food trucks I frequent on Federal BLVD. Being the Old Fashioned fan I am, a whiskey bar would be in the mix. One of the most enjoyable places to hang out is The Eddy in Golden.

Denver offers a music scene that is hard to beat. Red Rocks Amphitheater would have to be on the itinerary. You cannot forget about the great sports teams and venues Denver has either.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to dedicate the shoutout to everyone I worked with throughout the years who’s helped shape my vision on culinary excellence. Also dedicated to the BBQ mentors who have guided me along the way. The sharing of techniques and methods are priceless.

Website: www.seasonedswine.com

Instagram: @seasonedswinebbq

Facebook: facebook.com/seasonedswinebbq

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/seasoned-swine-golden-2