Pink Heifer Saloon & Smokehouse, a three-year-old restaurant in Monticello, is set to open a downtown Madison location by this summer, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Owner Joe Fox and his family plan to open 25 locations in the next five years.
The first of the new restaurants, which will be called Pink Heifer BBQ Saloon, will open at 569 State St. next to Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes. Fox, CEO of Pink Heifer BBQ Group, has targeted July 21 as the opening date for the new downtown location, and six months later he hopes to have identified locations and signed leases for two more Madison-area spots.
The Madison restaurant will offer fast-casual dining with counter service, serving Texas-style brisket, chicken, pork, southwest salad, macaroni and cheese and vegetarian options. The menu will not have the full-service Monticello location’s ribs, burgers and prime rib. When the State Street restaurant first opens, all smoking will be done in Monticello and brought to Madison daily, but the next Madison-area Pink Heifer will have a commissary kitchen to supply the State Street restaurant, other Madison-area spots and catering orders.
Fox’s son Jorden will run the State Street restaurant and manage the entire expansion. His other son, Levi, runs the business’ social media and is also the president of the Pink Heifer BBQ Group.
The family also has a 24-foot Pink Heifer Saloon & Smokehouse food trailer that visits festivals and fairs. They will vend at the Midwest Horse Fair at the Alliant Energy Center April 11-13. They’ve also participated in the Dane County Fair and Madison Night Markets.
