MEET THE PITMASTER
& THE SAUCE BOSS
BBQ so good pigs are dying to get smoked!!
Smokin' Buttz began in 2014 with a simple mission: serve bold, high-quality barbecue that brings people together. Pitmaster John Cathey's love for cooking began while helping in his family's soul food restaurant, C & J Diner. In June 2014, John and his wife, Mylica, introduced Smokin' Buttz at the Taste of Smyrna. By September, they had purchased their first food trailer.
In 2016, John took a leap of faith, leaving his career in information technology to pursue Smokin' Buttz full-time. Later that year, the Smokin' Buttz Food Truck—lovingly known as the Buttz Truck—hit the road. The truck went on to be named Rutherford County's Favorite Food Truck in 2017 and 2019, and Smokin' Buttz was featured by NewsChannel 5 as a Music City Must.
When the pandemic changed the food-truck industry, John and Mylica expanded the brand by bottling their signature sauces and creating a line of seasonings and rubs. In 2024, Mylica took her own leap of faith, leaving her human resources career to become the full-time Sauce Boss and grow the business alongside John.
Today, Smokin' Buttz has grown from a tent and smoker into a flavor-driven brand offering food-truck service, catering, small-batch sauces and rubs, Buttz Cracks seasoned crackers, corporate gifting, and interactive Flavor Lab experiences. In 2025, the Buttz Team also opened its first retail shop inside the historic Nashville Farmers' Market.
Through every chapter, the mission remains the same: bringing people together through bold flavor and unforgettable moments.
BOLD FLAVOR. BIG MOMENTS.
Our mission is to bring people together through bold Southern flavor and unforgettable experiences—one bite, one bottle and one big moment at a time.
Our purpose is to create joy, connection and lasting memories through flavor—turning everyday meals and gatherings into big moments.
OUR VALUES
OUR HISTORY
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
They were awesome! We had their food truck cater a work event and they did an outstanding job.
The best sauces and rubs hands down! I highly recommend trying these.
As someone who has been in the South my whole life, this might be the best BBQ I have had.
These folks are absolutely amazing! They top off wonderful food with great service.
We had SB cater an event for us recently. Everything was fantastic — the pulled pork especially.
The food is delicious and the staff is so friendly. Some of the best barbecue you will ever have.
Tasty grilled chicken dinner courtesy of Smokin' Buttz Chicken Rub. The kids loved it too.
They come to my university every so often as a local restaurant, and every time it is excellent.
Loved celebrating 10 years with Smokin' Buttz! Love their sauces and rubs. Good people.
Went to the 10 year anniversary block party. This was my first experience with them and it won't be the last.
The food is fantastic! The people are kind and helpful. Everything is delicious.
I attended Smokin' Buttz 10 year anniversary and it was a blast. The kiddos had fun with it too.