ShortE's BBQ Is Smoking Up Traditional Southern-Style Cooking In Johnston

JOHNSTON, IA — The metro area's newest restaurant will debut Tuesday when business partners Chris Elyea and Bryan Easter open ShortE's BBQ in Johnston. Owning a restaurant is new for the friends, but each has a background that complements different sides of the partnership.

Elyea, a Texas native now living in Johnston, formerly worked in corporate banking but is a veteran among barbecue competitions with 10 years of experience and a passion for traditional Southern-style meals. Easter spent years working in the hotel and restaurant management field.

“After putting in 10- to 12-hour days for other people, we wanted to work for ourselves,” Easter said.

Together the two E's devised ShortE's — a nod to Elyea's stature, Easter said, since he is the "less tall" of the two. The duo has devoted about six months to getting the restaurant completed, from gutting an existing space in the Westfield Commercial Plaza to bringing in the large wood-fueled smoker.

“This has been our full-time job since April, but really it’s been in motion for the last year,” Easter said.

Opening a Southern-style, all-smoked-meat restaurant has been a dream for the pair since 2003, according to the ShortE's website. Easter said they saw an opportunity with the Johnston location because there aren't many locally-owned restaurants in the area and they can serve large employers like DuPont Pioneer and Camp Dodge.

Diners will find their style of smoking different than typical restaurants, he said.

“We do 100 percent wood-smoked meats using oak logs,” Easter said. None of the eight types of meats are reheated or gas-cooked. “It’s all cooked fresh every day, so when it’s out, it’s out, whether that’s noon or 7 o’clock or close.”

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Easter, who lives in Clive, said one signature entree is the Bacon Bomb, a “jelly-rolled sausage, bacon and jalapeno roll.” A smoked bloody mary will be a drink specialty.

The restaurant also will have two distinct service styles, Easter told Patch. The lunch crowd will order at the counter and have their food plated cafeteria-style so diners can take the meal to their seat. The idea is to get lunch patrons, who typically are pressed for time, "in and out and back to work," he said.

After 4 p.m. the restaurant will convert to full table service and a full bar. It will be family-friendly and offer a kids' menu.

ShortE's seats 102 inside and has patio seating for 50. Currently there are 10 employees, though hiring is ongoing. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

ShortE's BBQ

Address: 8805 Chambery Blvd., Suite 250, Johnston

Take note: Daily specials will be announced later; "game day" specials also are planned. TV's available inside and on the patio for the sports enthusiast.

Catering: Offering family-style or buffet-style options with eight types of meat and hot and cold side dishes.

Reach them: 252-9887, www.shortesbbq.com and on Facebook

Patch photos by Melissa Myers