About Old Arthur's

We believe that no single human has put a more concentrated effort into defining their signature flavor than Arthur Watts. Born into slavery, Arthur was tasked with open-pit barbecuing before the age of ten. In his teens, he began crafting unique recipes, which he carried with him out of bondage, post the US Civil War. Recipes that he would meticulously refine for the remainder of his 108 years. His contributions and notoriety helped shape Early American barbecue into what we know it as today. Arthur’s story is one of perseverance in the face of adversity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Old Arthur’s is our way of carrying forward that legacy. As members of the Watts family, we keep his spirit alive by continuing to share his authentic taste of American barbecue history.Read their story