Recently opened JQ's on High will bring street grub to its 911 E. High St. location.
Co-owners Quinten Rice and John Johnson opened the restaurant just down the road from The Mission on Tuesday and said they want it to feel like a place that celebrates Americana and music.
Rice, who also owns Avenue HQ and The Space entertainment complex, said the project was four years in the making. Inside sits memorabilia from classic cars and music moguls, including guitars signed by Alice Cooper and a tribute to the band Kiss.
"The concept we've gone with is basically food truck meets brick-and-mortar," Rice said.
JQ's on High debuted with a soft opening Tuesday and plans to have a grand opening around the beginning of the new year.
The restaurant serves five different types of pulled pork, as well as a half-pound hamburger and pork belly tacos.
Rice said a baked potato loaded with pulled pork, green onions and more has been a big hit so far. Late additions to the menu for vegetarians include a portobello mushroom burger and fish tacos.
Rice said Johnson is known for his barbecue skills, so the JQ's on High features beaked beans in his signature Triple J sauce.
The restaurant seats only 15 people but serves burgers, pork and potatoes to go. Johnson said they plan to add patios in front of and behind the building to increase seating capacity by 20-30 people when the weather gets warmer.
With its location on the east side of Jefferson City, Rice said they're trying to cater to late-night crowds. JQ's on High is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
"Usually we'll stay open a little later to accommodate the live entertainment and music going on in the east side," Rice said. "We're trying to cater to the late-night crowd because there's not that many places that stay open late."