Barbecue Bravado
Taste of the Town: JC BBQ
By Angie Helvey, Active Media | Photos by MJ Media Productions, Active Media
Oregon isn’t known for barbecue like Kansas City or Texas, but Christy and Joe Poteet are changing that. With award-winning rubs and high-quality, expertly-prepared meats, J&C BBQ has taken the region by storm with their handcrafted Southern barbecue.
J&C started as a food truck in Sweet Home in 2016. As they found success they opened a brick-and-mortar in Lebanon in 2018, then moved to the former Bigfoot Grille in downtown in July 2022. They originally merged their menu with Bigfoot’s, but with J&C’s large following and passion for excellence in barbecue, they rebranded. “We knew it was time to return to our roots,” Christy explains. “Our new logo and everything we’ve created truly represents us and our family.” The Poteets have two daughters who each play a part in the business, one as the head chef; the other, a baker and server.
J&C offers mouthwatering Southern-style appetizers, half-pound American Wagyu burgers and loaded sandwiches, but the real star of the show is the barbecue. Picture this: platters piled high with locally-sourced meats cooked Central Texas-style, prepared with J&C’s award-winning dry rubs for a rich and smoky flavor, and sauce served only on the side. Joe has perfected three custom rubs, including his Carnage, which took first in the country for beef rub in Barbecue News Magazine. Combos come with a tasty choice of sides and housemade cornbread.
Menu highlights include a 16-ounce competition ribeye, hand-breaded chicken-fried steak, homemade macaroni and cheese made to order, and an authentic Indiana Pork Loin Sandwich that’s fresh and hand-breaded. For drinks, there’s housemade lemonade and iced tea served in quart-sized mason jars, creamy, hand-scooped milkshakes, ten local beers on-tap, and signature cocktails. The Poteets are also famous for their award-winning desserts, like their out-of-this-world carrot cake, handcrafted by their oldest daughter.
J&C is like an old Texas road stop with all the warmth of Southern hospitality. The walls are adorned with fascinating antiques, numerous awards, and a plethora of dollar bills signed by loyal customers who the Poteets are forever grateful for. “When we’re playing with new recipes and flavors, we’ll invite them in to try things out,” Christy shares. “They aren’t just customers anymore; they’ve become family.” J&C also offers fully customizable catering. They’ve traveled to cater across the region, and Christy is your best resource and advocate for planning an event.
The Poteets are committed to putting Oregon on the map for barbecue. “We’re the only restaurant in the Pacific Northwest that competes in professional food competitions, and this is our seventh year,” says Christy. “It’s exploded for us, and we’ve continually been nationally recognized for our craft.” That includes placing at the SCA World Championship for steak in Texas, where Joe and their oldest daughter each hold a perfect steak score, of which there are just 20 worldwide. The two Grand Championships they won this year qualify the team to compete in the KCBS Invitational, the American Royal in Kansas City, and a potential invite to compete in the Jack Daniels Invitational in Lynchburg, Tennessee for 2025. The Poteets also organize local barbecue events and competitions.
J&C BBQ & Catering is located at 525 S. Main Street in Lebanon. Give them a call (541) 570-1092 or visit www.jcbbque.com. Stay current on specials and events on Facebook.