Cam Lewis may be the new owner of Moe’s Original BBQ on the west side of town, but after spending 10 years as general manager at the location, he is already very familiar with the business model and Steamboat Springs community.

“I’ve worked for Moe’s since I was 19,” said Lewis, who started at the Steamboat Springs Moe’s Original BBQ location when it opened in February 2015. “Chris and Hillary Gander opened it, and I’ve been their general manager since Day 1. I used to work at the Moe’s Eagle location in Vail for years, and (the Ganders) gave me the opportunity to run this place.”

Lewis and his wife Amanda purchased the Steamboat Springs franchise from the Ganders and have been operating the barbecue at 1898 Kamar Plaza near the intersection of Elk River Road and U.S. Highway 40 since June. The Steamboat Springs location is one of nearly 50 Moe’s Original BBQ franchises that stretch across the country and include Colorado restaurants in Boulder, Eagle, Englewood, Lakewood and Leadville.  

The restaurant is known for its Alabama-style barbecue offering a menu with sandwiches and platters featuring pulled pork, smoked turkey, smoked chicken, ribs, southern fried catfish, blackened mahi-mahi fillet and smoked chicken wings.

“We were founded on our pulled pork,” Lewis said. “We pull it and then we do sandwiches and platters with either Southern cornbread or on a bun with pickles and sauce.”

He said people should expect dry-rubbed meats that are smoked daily. Moe’s also offers a red barbecue sauce and a creamy and tangy white barbecue sauce it uses instead of ranch dressing for chicken-wing dipping.

“I think we have the best wings in town,” Lewis said. “People will tell you our wings are fantastic. They’re jumbo wings that we smoke and then fry. You can get them with dry-rub (mixture) or house-made buffalo sauce.”

He said Moe’s Original BBQ menu will strive to continue offering great food in a family-friendly atmosphere under the new ownership.  On Tuesdays and of Saturdays children under 12 eat free with each adult purchase, and Lewis just started a new loyalty program this week where regular customers can earn points they can use toward meals.

Moe’s is open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Lewis also plans to open on Sundays once football season kicks off with a limited bar menu. He said customers can expect a new bar menu in mid-August.

Lewis said the Moe’s will continue to provide a great lunchtime menu and be open in the evening hours to accommodate those looking for a bite after work. The full-service bar with Colorado draft brews offers a 2-6 p.m. happy hour.

The restaurant also offers prepackaged and customizable catering experiences for events, gatherings and weddings. Lewis said he would love to further grow the catering side of the business. He said Moe’s Original BBQ also has a healthy takeout business.

“It’s been overwhelming but awesome,” Lewis said of taking the helm at Moe’s. “I didn’t know where else to go after this, and after running it for 10 years, I really love Moe’s, and I think Steamboat Springs loves Moe’s, and I don’t want it to change. I want to be here for another 15-plus years.”