The Man Behind the Meat
A Quick Q&A with Owner & Pit Master, Sean O’Brien—
Q: Where’d the name ‘Smokey OB’s’ come from?
A: I came up with the name because OB was my nickname growing up (OB, O’Brien..get it??)
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Cottage Grove, MN
Q: What made you create Smokey OB's?
A: I worked in printing for 10 years, between companies in Minnesota (where I met my wife!) and Wisconsin. We moved to Wisconsin to be closer to my wife's family in 2015. After we got married and started our own family, I was working odd hours and spending a lot of time away from my family. I felt the strong urge to pursue a passion of mine, which is smoking meats/BBQ! I've always been the cook of the house, and I've enjoyed experimenting at home with all kinds of styles - grilling, frying, smoking, but always finding smoking to be the most exciting. I grew up grilling with my dad which is how I initially got my feet wet.
Q. Why BBQ food?
A: I love the flavors of BBQ, getting my heat from the wood. I love to use oak wood when smoking, and apple wood on occasion. But for the most part, I like to keep it old school, in most aspects of my life!
Q: What are your biggest passions?
A: I'm a hobby guy! Obviously BBQ is a passion, cars - I have a '79 Cutlass that I've been fixing up, I have 2 saltwater fish and reef tanks, fishing, disc golfing, gardening, and being a stay at home dad!
Q: What inspires you?
A: My family inspires me! I live to be the best dad and husband that I can be and I love that Smokey OB's allows me time at home with my two daughters. It also allows me to teach them a thing or two about food! We seem to always have a cooking show on in the background.
