We began smoking food on a small scale for family and then neighbors, but soon got caught up trying to figure out what true BBQ brisket was supposed to taste like. We went to some BBQ contests, found out and got hooked. During the winter of 2005 we overdid it and built a 28 foot trailer with a rotisserie smoker and a health approved kitchen. It has been a lot of fun and people are knocked out by how good our authentic BBQ is. Brisket is our specialty, but many people prefer our pulled pork and spare ribs. We use only charcoal and wood in our catering trailer...no electicity or gas.

2006 was our first year using the new smoker trailer. We served at the Lincoln County Fair and Gooding County Fair. We catered ropings, horse shows, boat shows and other local events, including wedding receptions. We also traveled to a winter fair in Quartzsite, AZ in 2006. There we experimented with some new menu items, cooking techniques, and the perfect blend of spices for mouth-watering BBQ. We developed our delicious smoked prime rib, mmmmm...we had to turn people away when we ran out and had folks making reservations ahead of time for prime rib at a trailer in the middle of the Arizona desert.

We received so many requests for our secret recipe BBQ sauce (invented at home in a big stockpot by Mrs. German) that we started to bottle it at the restaurant. For those who like a sauce with a little more punch we have created a Jalapeno BBQ sauce. We also have our popular Original BBQ sauce and a sweet Honey BBQ sauce for you to try!

At our restaurants we cook with 100% WOOD SMOKERS.  We have found for a sweet, mild smoke, applewood is the best choice. We have two stationary smokers, one in Jerome and one in Twin Falls, and we are always happy to give a tour!


Smokin' Cowboys Restaurants and Catering are run locally by two cowboys, Bob German and Dale Hellwinkel. The first restaurant was opened in October 2007 in Jerome, ID, with sit-down dining and great daily specials including our famous prime rib every Friday and Saturday. Come watch the game in the Branding Iron Lounge, where your beer is always served in a frosty mug. We have a great banquet room in the back with a 65 person capacity. It has a built in projection screen and a toasty wood stove too!

Our Twin Falls location was opened in July of 2009, right on Blue Lakes Boulevard next to Cafe Rio. We always dreamed of having a casual 'BBQ joint' where folks could grab a brisket sandwich anytime they wanted. We had fun renovating the building, with the help of a lot of family and friends! Check out the pine ceiling in the Twin Falls location installed by Mr. Hellwinkel!