Indianapolis Monthly Magazine voted JohnTom's Barbecue Sauce best in the state. Our mouthwatering sauces are handcrafted in the Midwest, with a subtle dose of southern charm.
John Tom Branson (pictured), had a very non-traditional background. Southerner, turned midwesterner. Assembly-line factory worker, turned barbecue aficionado. His leisure time was spent barbecuing and wood smoking meat, but his sauce was the real MVP. Perfecting the small-batch craft before it was a movement, John Tom brought his southern values to midwest flavor.
Watch the JohnTom's Story
JohnTom's Barbecue is a Certified MBE through the National Minority Supplier Development Council.
In my experience, when you find something good and bring it to your guest, they will be thankful. As a Chef and a foodie, that is what makes my job so rewarding. I found a good thing with JohnTom's BBQ sauce. Not only is the ingredient list clean, which is my first priority, but it is absolutely delicious. The flavor profile gives backyard cookout with a secret ingredient, something a Chef is always looking for!
— Chef Shanna Dean, The Lifestyle Cafe (Owner)
My dad and I used to make BBQ sauces for everything. If we made it, our sauce was on it. Of course we kept a few bottles of store bought sauce too. That all changed when we found JohnTom's. The flavor in the sauces is good for any and everything, especially on slow smoked BBQ dishes.
— Chef Aaron Dodd, Ball State University North Dining
There’s such a unique robustness about these barbecue sauces, and the guys behind the product, that makes people gravitate toward them. I’ve witnessed it. It’s one of the best out there on the market.
— Chef Pam Ward, Chef Pam's Meal Prep
With almost 29 years in this industry I have made and tasted many BBQ sauces and this product definitely will rival any out there - including mine. We had an opportunity to visit a food show in Indianapolis and met you guys. We were truly impressed with your professionalism and the passion your team has for your products.
If you haven’t tried any of Indiana’s Premier BBQ Sauce from JohnTom’s Barbecue, you should! My personal favorite is Sneaky Hot, with some pork belly or braised beef short ribs. Simply delicious!! Thanks for providing such a excellent product. Keep up the great work.
— Executive Chef Specialist William Passino, Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation
To say that I love the taste of JohnTom's would be an understatement. A description of its mouthwatering flavor cannot be put into words. But the truth is my real passion for JohnTom's is rooted in its ownership and history. It is not just the taste of the sauce but the feeling of intense pride that three black men formed and developed the company.
JohnTom's is something that we use during our family cookouts to inspire the young people in attendance that they, too, can have an idea, form a business, and successfully sell a product that we can all enjoy. For that reason, several bottles of John Tom's BBQ sauce will always remain in my refrigerator!
— Jimmie L. McMillian, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Corporate Counsel, Penske Entertainment Corp.
First, I come from Tennessee and a long line of BBQ folk. And this is from a guy who, for the past 25 years, has been widely known for his homemade sauce. So much so, everyone who has had it, pushes me to bottle and sell it. Now that’s high praise indeed, but I have to say that I don’t even make my sauce anymore since I found JohnTom’s. Seriously, it is that dang good. I have never found a bottled sauce that came anywhere close to mine, let alone made me think there is something better out there. This is the most versatile, well rounded line of sauces I have ever had. I use it on everything from pork, to brisket, I even dip my homemade fries in it. You guys HAVE IT RIGHT.
— Dave Lee, Hot Shop Valpo (Owner) and BBQ Aficionado
