It was 16 years ago when Neil and Julie Lorenzen first opened Muddy’s Pit BBQ in Keene, and they’ve been serving mouth-watering meat dishes and supporting the local economy ever since.
Operating as a laid-back seasonal barbeque shack in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, one of eight townships in Peterborough County, Muddy’s Pit BBQ first began with Neil’s at-home catering company. Having previously run the former Hot Belly Mama’s Cajun and Creole restaurant in downtown Peterborough, he began catering so he would have more time to spend with his young children.
When the Keene shack — which Neil says he had always admired — became available in 2009, he and Julie purchased it so that could have more storage and prep space for their catering business. However, after listening to their customers, before long the Lorenzens had returned to their restaurant roots and have since built Muddy’s Pit BBQ — simply known as Muddy’s to locals — into a perennial roadside favourite
Open from April until December, Muddy’s serves high-quality meats smoked on site with custom outdoor smokers that only use log hardwood. From pork side ribs and beef brisket to smoked sausages (“hot links”) and pulled pork, the menu is a meat lover’s dream.
Other homestyle dishes including chili nachos, chili dogs, baked beans, mac ‘n’ cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw round out the menu, though Neil is always inventive when it comes to crafting regular specials.
All the meat you have ever sunk your teeth into at Muddy’s has come from Otonabee Meat Packers, located just down the road, while most of the vegetables come from a variety of local farmers purchased through local markets.
With the aim to exclusively serve Canadian brands with the rotating beer they keep on tap this year, Muddy’s regularly serves up brews from Bobcaygeon Brewing Company, as well as Focal Brewing Co., which is brewed in Hastings.
Bobcaygeon Brewing Company supports Muddy’s in return by selling the restaurant’s homemade barbeque sauce. Other local businesses selling Muddy’s sauce include Three Roads Farm in Peterborough and Bridgenorth Butcher Shop in Bridgenorth.
Muddy’s also supports the local music community by hosting its weekly Summer Juke Joint concert series every Sunday from the May long weekend until Labour Day weekend — a tradition they have maintained every season for 12 years.
Local musical acts visiting the shack this year have included Al Black & the Steady Band and Washboard Hank from Peterborough, Harry Hannah from Baltimore, Susan Latimer and Mike Tabares from Campbellford, The Fabulous Tone Masters from Peterborough, Bradleyboy MacArthur from Warkworth, and more.
Located at 3247 County Road 2 in Keene, Muddy’s Pit BBQ is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturday. For more information and for updates on the latest specials, follow Muddy’s Pit BBQ on Facebook.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.
Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
