Bubba-Q's is a dream built from passion, perseverance, and an unwavering love for great food. Our journey began in our home kitchen, where we balanced our full-time jobs—my husband as a truck driver and myself as a medical assistant and transcriptionist—while also raising our newborn daughter. Determined to share our love for BBQ, we started catering, working tirelessly to bring delicious, homemade meals to our community. In 2007, we took a leap of faith and purchased our first food truck, setting up in parking lots and drawing massive crowds eager for a taste of Ottumwa’s favorite BBQ.

From 2012 to 2015, we traveled across the United States, competing in professional BBQ competitions—the very ones you see on TV. Our dedication to the craft paid off, as we won countless Championships and Reserve Championships, accumulating trophies, ribbons, and photos to showcase our victories. In 2014, we were honored as the 2nd best team in the nation for Smoked Pork, out of over 6,000 professional teams. Judges across the country recognized our expertise and flavors, reinforcing our passion for perfecting the art of BBQ.

By 2010, an incredible opportunity came our way—to transform an old Subway Sandwich Shop into our first sit-down restaurant with just 32 seats. We continued serving our food truck favorites while introducing new dishes that quickly became town staples. Our older children worked their first jobs in our restaurant, and every step of our journey was rooted in family values and community support. The love and loyalty of our customers fueled our growth, and in 2013, we expanded to our current location, making the transition from a fast-paced BBQ stop to a full-service Prime-grade steak and slow-smoked BBQ restaurant.

As our restaurant flourished, so did our catering business. Our ability to serve both a bustling dining room and cater large events simultaneously made Bubba-Q's a household name in Southeast Iowa. In time, we knew expansion was inevitable, so we took the next step—purchasing the space next door to add another 110 seats, a full bar, and an expanded kitchen, prep, and storage area. What started as a small home kitchen dream had grown into a thriving, full-scale operation, all thanks to the continued support and love of our community.

Today, we are beyond grateful for everything we’ve built together. Married for nearly 20 years, we have three children and three grandchildren who inspire us every day. Our business is a reflection of our family’s dedication, hard work, and passion for great food and even better hospitality. Every guest who walks through our doors is treated like family, and we take pride in serving high-quality, scratch-made meals that bring people together.

None of this would be possible without our incredible staff, who help bring our vision to life. Leading the way is our general manager, Melanie, who has been with us since 2012. She is the heart and soul of Bubba-Q’s, an extraordinary leader whose dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence make all the difference. With an outstanding team by her side, our staff consistently sets the standard for exceptional customer service and home-cooked comfort food in our community. We are beyond blessed to share our passion with the people we love and the town that has supported us from day one.

Thank you Ottumwa!

~Bubba and Sabrina Knapp