BUCYRUS – A Bucyrus barbecue restaurant is proud to claim its “sauce is boss.”

Old 30 BBQ, 1330 E. Mansfield Street, specializes in authentic barbecue – pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and brisket.  But its homemade sauces, from sweet to spicy, add even more punch to the popular platters and signature sandwiches served at the family-owned restaurant.

Just ask Austin Smith.

Smith, a part owner, created and perfected the sauce recipes well before Old 30 opened in 2015.  Sweet BBQ, Old Gold, 30 Caliber, and Spicy BBQ, all made fresh daily.  “It was a lot of trial and error, tweaking them so that the flavors go well with our smoked meats,” he said.

The four are tableside staples, he said, but others, such as vinegar-based Carolina Vinegar and the non-traditional Dirty 30, can always be requested.  So can Fire BBQ, which adds the most heat to any meat.  “The name says it all.  Put it on anything and prepare to sweat.”

Smith, 33, is no newcomer to the kitchen.  His mother, Connie Smith, and uncle, Breck Baker, own Baker’s Pizza downtown.  After graduating from college, he moved back to Bucyrus and joined them in launching Old 30 – a “fusion” of BBQ and traditional American cuisine.

“The community has definitely been supportive of us since day one,” said Smith.  “We draw from all over Ohio for our ribs.  But they also come from Marion, Mansfield, and the Upper Sandusky area.  I think over the years we’ve also become more family-friendly.”

The restaurant, which sits on the grounds of the Golf Club of Bucyrus, has seen a few menu changes over the years, he said.  One is the addition of smoked meat to salads, nachos, and tator tots.  Even their classic mac-n-cheese can be ordered with brisket or pork on top.

The meat at Old 30, however, is still prepped, seasoned, and slowly cooked the same way – overnight for 14 hours, Smith said.  More than 800 pounds of brisket a week, and 500 pounds of pork butts.  “And the ribs.  That’s what I’m most proud of as well.  The prep and smoking process.”

From May through August, diners also flock to the patio of Old 30 for its live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.  In September, performances are on Fridays.  “We do draw a pretty good crowd out here.  I try every year to bring in a handful of new bands and artists.”

Trivia is held every Wednesday at 7 and 8 p.m., with prizes awarded to the winning teams, Smith said.  Categories run the gamut from sports and general knowledge to Totally 80’s and even Disney trivia, he said.  “That’s pretty popular.  We usually fill up for that.”

The restaurant, Smith said, also runs an off-site catering business for graduation parties, class reunions, and other special events, with the family-owned event center – The Venue – just across the street.  Their food can also be ordered online with delivery by DoorDash.

“I would like to say thank you to the community for the support and allowing us to be open going on nine years now.”