The nearly 20-year journey of a popular local BBQ spot is taking another turn.
Piggin’ & Grinnin’ will close its drive-in-only location on Cleveland Avenue near Hilltop Road in St. Joseph—but plans to reopen soon in a bigger and better facility in Benton Township.
Piggin’ & Grinnin’ Chef/Owner Michael Piaskowski told MoodyOnTheMarket.com that he’s NOT going out of business, and that his health is excellent. In January of 2023, Piaskowski had been forced to shut down for four months after heart surgery. He says he feels great and looks forward to re-opening with year-round indoor seating for diners and a better kitchen.
Piaskowski informed his customers of his plans to close this Saturday in a post today on Facebook:
Good Morning Piggin n Grinnin Friends, Family and Fans.
First I want to say a HUGE Thank You to ALL the Wonderful and Amazing Customers that have Loved and Supported us through the 24 years we have been able to love you back by serving you some of the Awesome BBQ that we love Smoking
It has been truly our pleasure through the years to serve you through our dine in, drive through, corporate parties, birthdays
Family gatherings, Graduation celebrations and the thousands of Weddings we were privileged to be a big part of.
We appreciated each and every one of you. You have been what made us want to get up in the morning and cook outdoors in the rain, sleet, snow and the hottest of sunny days.
It is with a heavy heart that we are stepping back from serving our community for a regrouping and location change.
We are closing our drive through location in Saint Joseph. This Saturday May 18th will be our last Full Day of serving you for a unknown period of time.
It has been our pleasure of serving you through the years. We look forward to the future and a bigger kitchen lol.
In a phone conversation, Piaskowski said he had a couple of possible locations in mind, but favors one in Benton Township in what he described as a “nice location with good traffic.’ With limited staff, Piaskowski said he can’t effectively operate the take-out restaurant at the same time he prepares a new expanded facility, so he had no choice but to declaire a ‘hiatus’ for Piggin’ & Grinnin’ while he works out the details of the move. He assured us repeatedly that the future is bright for his business—but at a different spot with better facilities.
Piggin’ & Grinnin’ ‘migrated’ from the Benton Harbor Arts District to Cleveland Avenue after being forced to shut down by the pandemic. After opening there, it endured the difficulties surrounding Piaskowski’s heart surgery, reopening in May, 2023. Through it all, Piaskowski has maintained a vibrant, positive attitude and continued to serve up delicious ribs and other BBQ specialties.
When Piggin’ & Grinnin’ is ready to reveal its new location, we’ll have it for you at MoodyOnTheMarket.com. Stay tuned!
