The Smoke and Swine Co., a barbecue food truck primarily based in Winona Lake, kicked off its second season on Tuesday, April 27, at Stonehenge Golf Course. The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting for the business. From left: Chamber President and CEO Rob Parker and Ambassador Scott Allison, Ashley McGinnis, co-owners Brandon McGinnis and Luis Alvarez, Chamber Ambassadors Heather Lardino and Suneil Verma, Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach and Chamber Member Relations Manager Scott Wiley. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — A local barbecue food truck has kicked off its second season.

The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting for The Smoke and Swine Co. on Tuesday, April 27. The business sells pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, Coney dogs and sides, among other things.

The business’s main location is at Stonehenge Golf Course in Winona Lake across the road from the clubhouse. Hours are 4-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday most weeks as well as other locations elsewhere in the area, said co-owner Luis Alvarez.

People can follow the truck’s schedule on the business’s Facebook page.

The other co-owner is Brandon McGinnis. The duo runs it with the assistance of their wives, Brandi Alvarez and Ashley McGinnis.

The two started it last year. Alvarez has extensive restaurant experience and McGinnis enjoys making barbecue.

“Of (the) Winona Lake area, there’s only so many places to come to eat,” said Alvarez of their approach to planning the business, which opened in May 2020.

The food is gluten-free, which was influenced by Ashley McGinnis having a gluten sensitivity. Alvarez said the addition is good for families.

That was a lot of the company’s clientele last year when they were at the golf course, he said.

The goal is for the business to be community-minded.

“One of the things that I was excited about this thing when we put it together was like we need to be embedded with the people here,” said Alvarez. “I want to get to know people, eventually use local produce. I know our brisket’s locally sourced but eventually we’ll get to that level.”

That includes giving back.

The two are donating a portion of their earnings to The Wounded Warrior Project, which assists injured veterans. McGinnis and Alvarez aren’t veterans but they know people who are.

They also are open to working with people on fundraisers.

Alvarez said he wants to have the community hang out at their main location.

For their opening Tuesday, they invited musician Samy Coria to play and set up cornhole and a giant Connect 4 game for people to play.

They might invite more musicians out to play there in the future.

To contact them for a fundraiser or have them serve food at an event, people may message them via Facebook or call 574-316-0266.

Luis Alvarez cuts some brisket in the truck.