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Kennedy Concepts partnered with Myron Mixon to open Myron Mixon BBQ in Gatlinburg.The barbecue spot opens May 28.Chad Kennedy asked the Mixon to partner with him at one of the celebrity chef’s cooking classes.
A small barbecue cooking class in a celebrity chef’s backyard sparked Chad Kennedy’s newest restaurant endeavor in Gatlinburg.
Kennedy is the mastermind behind Knoxville spots like Cafe 4, The Kennedy and Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina and Tequila Bar. He also has other Gatlinburg locations like a second Loco Burro, Puckers Sports Grill, Johnny Rockets and Sugar Baby. Kennedy partnered with Myron Mixon, who has appeared on TV shows “BBQ Pitmasters” and “BBQ Pit Wars,” for the barbecue spot, which opens May 28.
Myron Mixon BBQ is in the heart of Gatlinburg at 762 Parkway. The entire restaurant is on an upper level above Auntie Anne’s with an outdoor patio in what used to be Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, another Kennedy Concepts restaurant.
The restaurant’s namesake dropped into Gatlinburg early prepare some of the menu for some special guests. Mixon has been nicknamed the “Winningest Man in Barbeque” with more than 200 grand championships, 1,800 barbecue trophies, 11 national championships and five world championships, a Kennedy Concepts news release said.
Kennedy Concepts partners with ‘sexiest man in barbecue’
Kennedy bought tickets to a small barbecue cooking class held at Mixon’s Georgia home in September. The tickets were a part of a Christmas gift, and his only plan was to improve his barbecue recipes by learning directly from the best in barbecue.
The 70-person class ended, and Kennedy knew he wanted to work with Mixon in whatever way he could. He just needed a chance to talk to him about his Gatlinburg restaurant plans. Kennedy already had a prime restaurant spot on Parkway in the East Tennessee tourist town, and knowing Mixon has a second home in Gatlinburg, he thought there was a sliver of hope that Mixon would agree to work with him.
Kennedy bought one of Mixon’s books, walked up to him to get it signed and gave the barbecue chef his quick Gatlinburg restaurant pitch.
“He’s a legend. I couldn’t ask for a better teacher,” Kennedy said.
Three weeks later, the plans for Myron Mixon BBQ were a done deal.
“(Kennedy) walked up to me. He said, ‘You’ve got to be the sexiest man in barbecue. Let’s start a Gatlinburg restaurant together,'” Mixon said at the restaurant’s ribbon cutting May 21. “Well, since you gave me that compliment, I’d be glad to.”
This is Kennedy’s fifth restaurant concept in Gatlinburg and eighth overall. Mixon said it was important for him to partner with someone who understands the East Tennessee restaurant landscape.
“Chad is a straight-up businessman about restaurants,” Mixon said. “He knows what he’s doing, and that was a big thing for me.”
Mixon has had a home in Gatlinburg since 2000, but he is originally from Vienna, Georgia.
Some items on the restaurants menu include pit master platters with two or three meats like smoked beef bologna, jalapeno cheddar sausage, bone-in beef rib, pulled pork, sliced brisket, baby back ribs, chicken wings and quarter chicken. Classic barbecue sides include barbecue peach baked beans, green beans, bruleed cream corn and mac and cheese.
If you’re looking to go a nontraditional barbecue route, other entrees include bacon-wrapped meatloaf, cornmeal crusted catfish and Faroe island salmon.
Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com.
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