From its first food truck in 2009, Ray Ray’s has expanded to five locations serving barbecue to nearly every corner of Central Ohio. But location number five holds a special distinction – it’s Owner James Anderson’s first sit-down, brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Ray Ray’s Meat + Three officially opens its doors at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7 at 1256 Columbus Rd. in Granville. The address puts the restaurant mere miles from Anderson Farms, which raises the hogs for Meat + Three.

Fans of the food truck will find something new at the restaurant. With the meat and three concept, diners select one meat and team it up with a trio of sides. That’s not all that’s on the menu, though. The restaurant also serves up sandwiches, and no barbecue joint would be complete without ribs, which are full spare in Granville. Some southern sweets have also made their way to the menu, including churros with salted caramel, Reese’s pie and peach butterscotch cobbler.

Anderson says that nearly all of the recipes have received a few tweaks for the brick-and-mortar menu, calling on barbecue and southern cooking techniques he’s collected over the last decade.

“I feel empowered in this brick-and-mortar kitchen to make new recipes I’ve been itching to get out there,” Anderson says. “I’m especially excited to serve this modified rib and brisket recipe at the new spot. As I get comfortable in my new kitchen, I will be doing specials that will run all week long. This will keep me and my crew’s culinary game sharp.”

The Meat + Three menu includes new proteins like Hot Honey BBQ Pork Belly, Pastrami Spice Turkey and Smoked Lengua. A selection of beer and wine is available to wash it all down.

Anderson has a new “partner in swine,”  Chris Mattson, and worked with Bill Glover and Valerie Belt to help take operations from food truck to full-service.

Additional Ray Ray’s locations include its food trucks at Ace of Cups in Clintonville, Land-Grant Brewing in Franklinton and Nocterra Brewing in Powell, as well as its walk-up and drive-thru window in Westerville.

After opening day, Ray Ray’s Meat + Three will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. It will be a first come, first serve affair, so reservations will not be available.

For more information, visit rayrayshogpit.com.

All photos by Susan Post