Lush’s Tennessee BBQ Opens in Kamas

October 5, 2021/Meredith Kluever/

Lush’s Tennessee BBQ, a food truck in Kamas, found success amidst COVID last year and is expanding to more permanent storefronts in Kamas and Park City. The Kamas location, 215 S Main St., opens on October 7. The Park City location will be right off the I-80 Silver Creek exit and is currently under construction.

Richie Lush grew up with one foot in south-central Tennessee and the other in Florida. Lush started his culinary journey in the late ’80s in southern Florida with the George and Scott Williams family at the Whale’s Rib – a seafood restaurant that got featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Growing up in Tennessee he was surrounded by barbecue and crafted his own spice and sauce recipes inspired by local legends like Charlie Woodley and Eddie “Cheese” Smith.

Richie doesn’t have to wait long for barbecue fans to show up for some brisket.

Lush’s smokes its meats for a minimum of 16 hours with oak and hickory. The meats are accompanied by a vinegar-based barbecue sauce and be sure to pair it with the mustard slaw and of course the gnocchi potato salad. His recipes and scratch-made spice mixes have earned high accolades in the local and visiting communities.

Every time a customer tells me Lush’s is the best BBQ they’ve ever had, it feels like winning the Grand Championship.

Richie Lush's personal favorite: 16-hour hickory and oak smoked ribs.
Richie Lush’s personal favorite: 16-hour hickory and oak smoked ribs.

The new locations’ menus will have the food trucks menu, plus some added comfort. Items like fried chicken, catfish on fish-fry Fridays, and Lush’s specialty: prime rib will be menu staples or weekly specials. Look for classic comfort foods and sides like mashed potatoes, collard greens, beans, and cornbread. His favorite menu item (besides the prime rib) is the ribs, modeled after how his friend Cheese showed him.

“It’s going to be a simple and consistent menu,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to spreading my knowledge of barbecue and simple comfort food.” Lush attributes his success to the encouragement and support of his family both near and far.

Lush’s Tennessee BBQ plans to open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The food truck will remain at 10 E Center St. in Kamas and is also available for catering events.

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Meredith Kluever

Meredith is a Chicago transplant and ski bum turned freelance writer. She has been in the restaurant business off an on since she was 16 and learned to cook from her parents, so she knows a good dish when she sees one (especially if it's deep dish). Park City has been home base for 4 years and counting and when she isn't working you can find her skiing, golfing, hiking, fishing, or camping.