If you’re driving too fast on South King Street, you’ll miss it.
Business owner Sean Paul Jones of Bozie Jones Barbecue can be found at his red trailer — located on South King Street, between the 76 gas station and McDonald’s — on specific days of the week. He’s been in business for about 10 years serving up Tennessee-style barbecue.
“I learned how to cook from my grandfather in Tennessee,” says business owner Sean Paul Jones. He says he was one of 12 grandkids.
“My grandfather taught me how to cook barbecue,” he says. “Since I was a kid, he taught me how to barbecue and cook. For Tennessee-style (barbecue), we use a little dry rub mixed with the barbecue sauce; that’s what makes it really good.”
Jones, who previously worked as a contractor for the military, knew he wanted to start his own barbecue-centric business. He decided to name his business after his grandpa, Bozie Jones, in honor of the man who taught him how to cook.
Jones moved his red trailer around various locations on Oʻahu before settling on his current spot on South King Street.
“A lot of customers wanted me back (here); they kept asking me to come back,” he says.
Jones’ menu is simple, and comprises rib tips ($18), ribs ($24), brisket ($28), chicken ($17) and combo plates ($30). He says the ribs and brisket are the bestsellers.
“Within two to three hours, the brisket sells out,” he says.
Jones prepares the meats with kiawe wood. He says it takes about three to four hours for the ribs and rib tips to cook.
All plates come with a side of baked beans and Jones’ housemade barbecue sauce.
“The sauce is my granddaddy’s special that he made in Tennessee,” Jones explains. “It’s a vinegar and mustard-based sauce.”
“It’s been a lot of work, and a lot of relationships have been built,” Jones says. “A lot of people keep coming back for the same barbecue.
“I wanted to bring part of the soul and love from Tennessee to Hawaiʻi, and infuse southern barbecue with Hawaiʻi by using kiawe wood,” he adds. “I didn’t just want to bring Tennessee here, but bring Hawaiʻi and Tennessee together.”
Jones’ trailer is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays and Sundays. Earlier this year, he also opened a second location with Maunakea Marketplace in Chinatown; his food stall is open every day except Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Chinatown location’s menu is mostly the same as the one at the trailer, but it features more daily specials, according to Jones.
CONTACT
Bozie Jones Barbecue
2105 S. King St., Honolulu
Instagram: @boziejonesbarbqjones
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
