Honored to be voted "Best Food Truck" in Maury County 2019 and 2020!
We make everything "truckmade" from scratch including our Portuguese sweet buns, bbq sauce, sausage, etc... Our menu changes
This is our story
Click on The Daily Herald's link below, for a detailed article about us being voted as the "Best Food Truck" in Maury County (written by Jay Powell).
After two combat deployments to Iraq in 2004 and 2007, the United States Marine Sergeant, founded the Hearty Hog with his, at the time, wife Amber (co-owner). After military life they decided to move to Tennessee. Frank began smoking meats in 2008 as a therapeutic hobby, after his combat tours.
In hopes to take advantage of the "American dream," they wanted to start a small business; however, the recession struck the country, made it impractical at the time. In order to pay bills, Frank had to capitalize on his military background, and go into law enforcement , while he attended/graduated from Middle Tennessee State University, studying Business and Plant & Soil Science.
As a teenager, he would create events i.e., bonfires, etc… and each Marine base he was stationed at, he would “grill” meats, creating an event for the Marines, so they wouldn’t have to spend money at restaurants, bars, etc… He never knew how to actually “smoke” low and slow cooked meats until 2008.
As a Patrol Deputy he continued his hobby, experimenting with the art of "low and slow" cooked meats. After receiving outstanding feedback from family and friends, he decided to start BBQ benefit events for St. Jude, with all the raised money going directly to the Children's hospital. The support for St. Jude began after his wife ran her first half-marathon with the St. Jude Heroes running group in 2012.
Following his passion, they began creating an innovative "outside the box" approach to traditional BBQ, igniting the dream of starting a business once again.
In 2016, Frank decided to start a BBQ food truck. Using his law enforcement co-workers as "food samplers" during training events, he continued to gain positive feedback. His decision to follow his dream was solidified while catering for the Federal Bureau of Investigations Academy Associates, at the Carnton Plantation (Franklin, Tennessee). This was the largest group Frank ever cooked for, and during this event, several members told him that he was "in the wrong business," meaning law enforcement. This was the moment that really sparked the fire for the Hearty Hog.
The Hearty Hog had its first event at Czann's Brewery in Nashville, then began going to the Factory in Franklin, Asgard Brewery, The Faded Farmhouse, etc... The Hearty Hog makes everything "truck made" including their popular Portuguese sweet buns, which was inspired by a Portuguese sweet bread recipe. The Hearty Hog even makes the sausage that goes in their smoked jalapeno poppers for their "Triple P " sammich and baked beans; but be aware, the menu changes. Follow Facebook/Instagram to see the menu for the day. The homemade sides (mac n' cheese, smoked bacon green beans, etc...), and desserts are also a “truckmade” favorite.
The Hearty Hog was a result of a man finding a way to pull out of the mental health effects of being in combat when coming back to civilian life. Being voted the best “food truck” in Maury County and having such a huge “following” was such an amazing, unexpected outcome. This allowed Frank to begin his Non-Profit, “Hearty Hog’s Veteran Bbq Camp,” teaching Veterans BBQ, at no cost to them, for PTSD.
Frank has recently bought a log cabin on Lake Chickamauga, just north of Chattanooga, bringing the Hearty Hog food truck with him. It will sit patiently on the property and Frank plans on opening in the Spring of 2022, but until then, he will be conducting recon in the Chattanooga to find places the Hearty Hog can throw bbq down range.
Our First Year
Here are a few of our innovative"outside the box" creations.
Photo Gallery
Where To Find Us
Food Truck Menu
Hearty Sammiches
Some items are not always available
Pulled Pork
Hickory smoked pulled pork piled on top of our homemade Portuguese sweet bun then topped with our homemade bbq sauce.
Tripple P
Pulled pulled pork, topped with smoked jalapeno poppers (jalapenos stuffed with homemade sausage, cream cheese, jack cheese, then smoked with hickory), our bbq sauce, and served on a Portuguese sweet bun.
Farmhouse Sammich
3 oz. hickory smoked pulled pork, 3 oz. smoked brisket, 4 oz. pimento cheese, bbq sauce
Mac Daddy
Pulled pork topped with our mac n' cheese and bbq sauce served on our homemade Portuguese sweet bun.
Briskwich
Hickory smoked beef brisket, smoked gouda cheese, homemade bbq sauce, mayo, served on our Portuguese sweet bun.
Beer Cheese Sammich
Hickory smoked pulled pork or brisket topped with smoked gouda beer cheese from a local brewery, our bbq sauce, served on our Portuguese sweet bun
Signature Items
Some items are not always available
Loaded Tater
Baked potato, cheddar, hickory smoked pulled pork, sour cream and homemade pico.
Moo Mac
Our delicious mac n'cheese topped with smoked brisket, and homemade bbq sauce
Piggy Mac
Our delicious mac n' cheese topped with hickory smoked pulled pork and homemade bbq sauce
Smoked Spare Ribs
Hickory smoked spare ribs sold by a half rack or full rack
Brisket Plate
1/2 lb. of hickory smoked brisket served with two sides.
Pork Plate
1/2 lb. of hickory smoked pulled pork served with two sides
Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapenos stuffed with homemade sausage, cream cheese, jack cheese, then smoked with hickory wood.
Hearty Sides
Some items are not always available
Mac n' Cheese
A fan favorite...we've been told that our mac n' cheese will change your life! Cheese, cheese, and more cheese. Trust me, you want this :)
Smoked Bacon Green Beans
Slow cooked green beans with hickory smoked bacon. There is nothing bland about these beans...not too spicy, but they do have a little "kick" to them ;)
Baked Beans
Our baked beans are make with our homemade sausage with a touch of sweet and spice.
Coleslaw
Homemade fresh coleslaw
Sweet Tater Salad
Not your ordinary tater salad! We used a combination of sweet potatoes and russets along with some diced carrot, celery, bell pepper, onion and hard boiled egg. A nice compliment to any meal.
Butermilk Ranch Pasta Salad
Creamy ranch pasta salad with fresh grape tomatoes, peas and chives.
Somethin' Sweet (All Made from Scratch)
Banana Pudding
Cheesecake
This is a family recipe that people go nuts over!
Toppings: chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel
Old Fashioned Bread Pudding w/ Rum Sauce
Big Ol' Cookie
Drinks
Bottled Water
Soda
Sweet Tea
Menu items and pricing subject to change
Contact Us
Visit Us!
Follow us on social media and keep checking our events to see when we're in your area.
We look forward to serving you!
Hours
Vary upon availability
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