The History of Checkered Pig Restaurants and Catering

Tommy Houston never dreamed in 1981, that a 14 hour pig cooking marathon would launch his career as an award winning Bar-B-Q master and restaurant owner.  He thought he had lost his mind, after volunteering to cook for his fire department, until he discovered that his labors were well worth the effort--everyone loved what he had produced!  With all doubts set aside, Tommy embarked on a catering business journey that eventually led him to nationwide fame, and one of the best loved restaurants in southern Virginia.

Tommy's life changed in 1990, when he met his future wife and business partner, Lisa.  They married in 1992, and continued to grow the catering business.  Tommy constantly sought to improve his product, and developed better ways to cook and smoke his meat, and better ways to season it, for the ultimate in flavor experience.

As the catering business boomed, the idea of opening a restaurant took shape, and in April 1997, Tommy and Lisa opened their first restaurant, Pigs R Us, in Martinsville, Virignia.  The restuarant has continued to grow and expand, requiring several additions, and remodeling of the building to accomodate the increased business.  In addition, Pigs R Us became the official caterer for the Martinsville Speedway in 1997.  This association lasted through 2001.

In 2002, the restaurant and catering business initiated the first competition team through Pigs R Us.  The next year, in 2003, the Checkered Pig name was born for the competition team, which would become famous, and eventually become the brand name for the restaurants, and for the patented sauces and rubs that Tommy had developed.

The newest Checkered Pig Bar-B-Q and Ribs restuarant opened in July 2009 in Danville, Viriginia.  The Danville location features the same award winning meats and sauces, home made side dishes and desserts, and southern style customer service.  The Danville location provides a different dimension to the Checkered Pig brand, with all the great food and service customers have come to recognize

When it comes to catering, Checkered Pig has 30 years of experience to rely on, when ensuring that a special event is truly successful.  As always, checkered Pig provides great food at reasonable prices, with outstanding service, backed by 30 years of success stories!