Papa Jim is a proud father of four and grandfather of five, Jim Gatchel, aka Papa Jim, has always been the chef in the house. Over a dozen years ago, he began developing his own BBQ Sauce with the dream of someday opening his own restaurant and offering his signature sauces and seasonings to the world! That dream was put on hold while he raised his young family in Springdale, Arkansas.
In 1998, the family moved to Forrest City, Arkansas where he perfected the signature taste of his BBQ Sauce. Family, friends, and members of the community began telling him that it was the best BBQ sauce they had ever tasted. He shared his sauces and seasonings for years. Although he thought about bottling the sauce, but time and other obligations just told him you can't just make this and put it in a bottle.
Then the unexpected happened! Just before Christmas in 2006 Papa Jim suffered a massive heart attack. After extensive heart surgery and a few months of recovery, Papa Jim decided that the Lord was giving him a second chance. He took His sign as a message that needed to do what he had always wanted to do...bottle his signature BBQ sauce. He found a quality bottler in Western Arkansas that helped him make his dream a reality.
Now that he had his sauce in a bottle, what would he call it? For many years, Papa Jim had been making his BBQ sauce but never considered a name. His grandchildren would always ask for Papa Jim's sauce when they didn't have any left in their refrigerator. In addition to the incredible flavor, this made it special for them, because their grandpa made the sauce. What would be a more perfect name than that? Thus began Papa Jim's BBQ sauce.
Over the last few years, Papa Jim has been perfecting the flavor of his signature smoked meats. The next part of his dream would soon come true. As more and more people heard about Papa Jim's outstanding smoked meats, he came across the opportunity to open his own BBQ restaurant. Backed with confidence from many in the community, Papa Jim's Diner opened its doors in March 2008. Papa Jim's Diner quickly gained a huge following in Forrest City and the surrounding area. We quickly expanded our serving menu but kept our signature features of the best homemade burgers in the Delta and, of course, Papa Jim's specialty, smoked meats and BBQ.
Currently, Papa Jim's, Inc has three products for sale: Papa Jim's Sweet & Tangy BBQ sauce, Papa Jim's Hot & Spicy BBQ sauce, and Papa Jim's Seasoning and dry rub. These products are available sale in our local Forrest City area grocery stores, Harvest Foods and Food Giant and Papa Jim's Family Restaurant. Online ordering coming soon.
Papa Jim's, Inc., is owned and operated by Jim, his wife Sue, all of the kids and a few of their grandchildren. Visit their Family Restaurant and you'll find their menu items are named after everyone in the family!
