If you’re from Lemmon, you may have noticed a retro camper parked around town that is wafting the smells of smoked meat and recently had a renovation glow-up.
Saint Larry’s BBQ & Catering is the mobile culinary brainchild of owners Lisa Donohue and Michael Van Beek, who wanted to create craft BBQ “100 miles from nowhere.”
The origin story of the elevated food truck started back in 2015 when Van Beek—Donohue’s college friend— moved back to Lemmon.
“Michael had just bought a cheap little smoker from Walmart and started experimenting with smoking meat,” recalled Donohue. “He would have folks over to his garage for beers and pulled pork in an effort to get to know people in town.”
FRESH FACE
Donohue and Van Beek gave their camper a fresh coat of paint days before the 605 Road Trip photoshoot.
The gatherings were a hit, and the organic expansion of what they dubbed Saint Larry’s continued. By the spring of 2016, Donohue and Van Beek were catering for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for their church and sold pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and baked beans at Lemmon’s annual Boss Cowman Days Celebration all for $5.
“Our good friend and metal artist John Lopez was in the process of developing his Kokomo Inn gallery and studio and Boss Cowman Square,” added Donohue. “It was a natural fit, and we began vending for major events in his incredible space on Main Street.”
Donohue says they continued to expand over the next couple of summers and made their partnership official as they invested in a “serious smoker” and gutted and refitted an old camper as a mobile kitchen.
The “not-so-sexy” 1980s camper was purchased in the spring of 2017, and after a lot of help from friends and family, Donohue says the camper was fitted out with state-of-the-art kitchen equipment by July of that year.
THE PATRON SAINT OF BBQ
Saint Larry’s is named for Saint Lawrence, the patron saint of cooks, chefs, and comedians. In short, he was a martyr of the early Church and was famously roasted alive over hot coals. Before he died, he allegedly cried out, “Turn me over, I’m done on this side!” Donohue and Van Beek say they appreciate dark, morbid humor and also wanted the name to stand for something meaningful, as well.
CATERED TO YOU
Here are a few catering menu options by Sainty Larry’s.
BBQ PLATE DINNER
Brisket + Two SidesChopped Beef + Two SidesPulled Pork + Two SidesSmoked Mac ‘n’ Cheese + Two Sides
STREET TACO/NACHO BAR
Street Tacos or Nachos with Smoked Pork Carnitas
SIDES FROM SCRATCH
Cole Slaw, Cornbread, Cowboy Beans, Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Smoked Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Having the kitchen on-the-go allowed for even more expansion, allowing for more catering and vending opportunities, adding more weddings, family reunions, and a variety of events to the schedule, Donohue elaborates.
“The community has really embraced us, and we feel like we’re a part of the furniture, especially when it comes to all the events put on in Lemmon throughout the summer,” added Donohue. “It has blown me away by how much support and excitement follows us.”
Some fan favorites by Saint Larry’s include the Smoked Pork Street Tacos with fresh corn salsa, and the Double Smash Burger with American cheese, bacon, sautéed onions, and spicy black truffle burger sauce. Dononue says people have been known to wait 45 minutes in line for the Smash Burger on summer days.
Saint Larry’s has partnered with events like the Thunderhawk Wide Open bike race with Black Hills brewery Lost Cabin Beer Company. The event—which is the third weekend of August every year—continues to grow, and Donohue says these partnerships have helped the company find their stride.
“Lost Cabin, like us, are in the ‘good time business,’ and we’ve been inspired to add some events like Oktoberfest in order to highlight some of the brewery’s seasonal offerings, as well as giving us an opportunity to try some new menu items,” added Donohue.
“ALL of my favorite memories with Saint Larry’s Revolve around the hours of downtime waiting for meat to smoke with our best friends who just happen to be business partners, as well.”
-Lisa Donohue
SAVE THE DATE
Boss Cowman Days // July 10-14.
Enjoy Lemmon through Boss Cowman Days— an annual event packed full of activities, like rodeos, a parade, street dances, fireworks, and a 5K Fun Run & Walk.
Thunderhawk Wide Open // August 16
Experience beautiful prairie vistas while riding through “some of the most iconic and remote land in the Old West.” Finish with a celebration in the Kokomo Sculpture Garden with craft beer, prizes, and local food and shopping vendors.
Donohue recommends anyone considering a trip to Lemmon to come during Boss Cowman Days on the second weekend in July.
“There’s a parade, rodeos, street dances,” said Donohue. “We will be set up at the Kokomo Sculpture Garden – always smash burgers Friday night and Street Tacos Saturday for lunch.”
Being a part of the community and facilitating growth within Lemmon is what Donohue is most proud of.
She noted, “The Lemmon community is incredibly creative, and so much work has been done by many hands to make it an interesting place.”
