Second Whole Hog Cafe opens in north Springfield

The owners of Whole Hog Cafe near Bass Pro Shops have opened a second location on the north side of Springfield.

The group of owners - Dave Warren, Charlie Koelling, Daniel Bryant and Michael Cole - invested about $180,000 to open the new barbecue restaurant on March 31 at 2731 N. Glenstone Ave., Warren said.

“As well as we were doing over there, we felt like we were ready to move forward," Warren said of the first location at Campbell Avenue and Sunshine Street.

Warren and Bryant got into the Whole Hog Business at 224 W. Sunshine St. in September 2009 with original partners Paul Sundy and Mike Hesslin. The partners bought out Sundy and Hesslin for an undisclosed amount and later added Koelling and Cole to the ownership group.

Warren said the new 5,200-square-foot restaurant marks the last of the ownership group's plans in the Springfield area, but they are considering expansion in the Mountain Home, Ark., area, Little Rock, Ark., and the suburbs west of St. Louis.

The group holds a licensing agreement allowing use of the brand owned by Little Rock, Ark.-based chain Whole Hog Cafe & Catering Co., Warren said.

Original to the two Springfield restaurants are such menu items as cheesy corn, smoked green beans and home fries, but they also feature the traditional items including ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket.

With 20 employees, Warren manages the new location.