Sound the alarms, Loveland! There’s a new barbecue joint in town, and this is one you definitely don’t want to miss. Pig Candy has moved into (and totally renovated) the former Branch Hill United Methodist Church on Bridge Street … they are fired up and already serving our community well (until sell-out, that is, which does happen, so get there early!).
As soon as you enter Pig Candy, it’s impossible not to notice the attention to detail, the love and the care that went into opening their second location. The renovations are gorgeous, with sleek hardwood, modern finishings, and reminiscent stained glass that harkens back to the building’s history as a church that housed a congregation up until a year before it went up for sale.
But what appealed to owners Paul and Christina Goehrig about Loveland? And why an old church? “We looked at a lot of neighborhoods, but we really wanted to be somewhere that we could be a part of the community,” Christina explains. “Loveland has always been one of my favorite areas around Cincinnati … I love the bike trail, I love the vibe. And when we saw that the church had come up for sale, we jumped all over it.”
And not only did they buy the church property that houses their restaurant, they also bought a home that’s a remodel project in and of itself about five minutes down the road. “For both of our locations, we own our properties, so we are all in. That’s equally an investment in the community, and now we own personal residences in both communities,” Christina says.
Of course, the building gorgeous, with ample indoor and outdoor seating, and plenty of parking to be found, but the food? Put simply, it’s out of this world. Smoked in-house daily, each one of Pig Candy’s proteins leave you feeling satiated and satisfied with their smoky flavor and no-nonsense seasoning.
Christina tells us that “when it comes to adding flavor, we really believe in a minimalist approach. We mostly use salt and pepper, or brines if it’s poultry. We take the time to do the brining process … some places will skip that step, and you don’t get as flavorful turkey or chicken.”
“Then there are some steps we take in terms of the timing, like when we pull the meat,” she continues. “And some of those things can add even more time to the process … but it makes for a more flavorful, fresh, juicy product.” The dedication and care that go into every meat are blatantly evident from the first bite. Tender, juicy, bursting with flavor. The pulled pork, brisket and turkey options are all phenomenal.
But the barbecue isn’t the only star of the show. All of Pig Candy’s sides are unique and just as irresistible (addictive!) as their protein showstoppers. From honeyed cornbread and southern-style green beans to creamy mac ’n’ cheese and crunchy slaw, they’ve forgotten nothing, crafting a menu that is uniquely their own while staying true to bold barbecue flavors.
Take note, there’s a hidden gem on the menu. The one dish that should not be missed: The Pig Candy Waffles. Yep, we said waffles. Fluffy, crispy, gluten-free waffle batter is cleverly pressed with their signature pulled pork, then served with a house-made peach maple glaze and a white BBQ sauce (their most popular!) on the side. Whether you choose to dip in savory or sweet, this dish will not disappoint.
With a team dedicated to attention to detail, the service will wow you, starting with a walk-up counter-ordering experience. The staff is attentive and constantly checking in to answer questions, clear plates, and make sure you’re having the best experience. Those working the counter are informative and attentive, helping you through your order as needed.
“The reason we could do this second location is because we have such an amazing team at our first location,” Christina gushes. “We’ve had people really step up in the last month to help, and have amazing leadership at Kellogg, too. Now this new team, the 20+ people we’ve hired, all are amazing and learned so quickly!” And with a first location already running like a well-fired machine, it was easy to train the new Loveland staff in preparation for the opening (and the crowds).
So whether you’re craving ’cue or want to check out the church’s amazing transformation, Pig Candy is definitely worth trying (don’t forget Sunday brunch — a Loveland exclusive!). From the history of the building to the quality of the food, from the heat to the heart, this place is special!
EatPigCandy.com | 370 Bridge St, Loveland | 513.231.0378 x2