SWANSEA, MASSACHUSETTS – After a decade of serving award-winning barbecue to communities across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, No Joke Smoke BBQ has announced it is ceasing operations. The announcement, made via social media on , marks the end of a culinary journey that began with homemade sauces and farmers markets and evolved into a popular restaurant, catering service, and mobile food trailer.
Ryan and Sharon Nahas, the founders of No Joke Smoke BBQ, expressed their gratitude in a heartfelt statement. “What started as farmers markets and homemade sauces grew into catering, pop‑ups, a restaurant, and a food trailer — but more than anything, it became a way for us to connect with an incredible community,” they wrote. “Through every long night, challenge, and celebration, your support carried us forward.”
The couple emphasized the personal significance of their venture. “This journey has been one of the greatest honors of our lives. We are deeply grateful for every customer, friend, and relationship built along the way. You didn’t just support a business — you became part of our story.” They concluded with a message of appreciation: “While this chapter comes to a close, we leave with full hearts, proud of what we created and thankful for the memories we’ll carry forever. From both of us — thank you for believing in No Joke Smoke BBQ. We truly loved every minute of serving you.”
The story of No Joke Smoke BBQ began in 2015 with the creation of their signature barbecue sauces. Their popularity quickly led to a presence at local farmers markets, and subsequently, to their first brick-and-mortar location at the Swansea Mall in late 2018. However, the initial location proved unsustainable, prompting a search for a new home.
In March 2019, No Joke Smoke BBQ established a new base of operations at 396 Wilbur Avenue in Swansea. This location, known as “No Joke on Wilbur,” featured New England-style, award-winning, homemade BBQ sauces and hosted local entertainment on weekends. The restaurant remained a fixture in the community until its closure in April 2023.
Following the closure of the Swansea restaurant, Ryan and Sharon Nahas pivoted to a mobile operation, utilizing a distinctive orange food trailer. They indicated their intention to continue serving customers at a variety of locations, including colleges, dispensaries, breweries, festivals, private events, and farmers markets. According to a statement provided to the Fall River Reporter following the brick-and-mortar closure, they were actively developing a full event calendar for 2023 and revising their catering options.
The Nahas’s commitment to remaining active in the region was evident in their plans for the trailer. “We will be everywhere… colleges, dispensaries, breweries, festivals, private events, farmers markets, car shows, you name it,” they stated. They also noted that bookings for the trailer were filling up quickly.
While the closure of No Joke Smoke BBQ marks the end of an era for the local barbecue scene, the legacy of the Nahas’s dedication to quality and community connection is likely to endure. The brand’s evolution from a small-scale sauce operation to a beloved regional eatery demonstrates the power of entrepreneurial spirit and the importance of customer relationships. The final chapter of No Joke Smoke BBQ, though concluding, leaves behind a story of passion, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for the communities they served.
