For business owners Jessica Hurren and Ian Leis, their newly opened BBQ restaurant in Guelph represents the culmination of nearly nine years of hard work, pivots, unexpected obstacles, and relentless determination.
While Leis originally had the idea to open a small brewery in Guelph, zoning issues pushed the business out to the Guelph Eramosa Township, where Ward 1 Smokehouse and Brewery is currently located.
Leis told blogTO that the township wanted the business to be a brewpub — not just a craft brewery — leading him to slightly shift the business model into a full-service restaurant, with an emphasis on southern-style BBQ and smoked meat.
Hurren and Leis boast over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry combined. Leis is also a master electrician and even started his own contracting company during the pandemic to fund his dreams of running a restaurant and brewery.
“We couldn’t have done this without all of his amazing clients and homeowners in Guelph who have all come here to show their support as well. They were also aware of the dream and know that they helped make this happen, which is so cool.”
As a testament to their passion for the restaurant, the couple handcrafted many elements of the space themselves. Leis finished, cut, and built the bar on-site and even took on all of the electrical work needed.
“It takes a lot of time and effort, and we keep saying this place is a labour of love. We really put in the effort to do things right, and it turned out beautiful,” Hurren said.
The bar was handcrafted by Leis and the artwork was made by @larissa.sorek.designs. Photo: Ward One Smokehouse and Brewery.
“It’s a fun little dream come true, and it’s hard to believe it took eight years to get it going. It’s still settling in that, not only is it happening, but people are excited and liking it,” Leis added.
Multiple factors delayed the opening of the highly-anticipated restaurant, from processing licences, permits, and obtaining application approvals.
“It wasn’t just one or two big things that extended this process. It was constant moving parts and trying to pull everything together as quickly as possible,” Hurren told blogTO.
“But you know what? I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. Of course, you miss some parties and miss going out a few times, but this is paying off. I’m so grateful,” Leis chimed in.
After years of obstacles, the couple finally opened the restaurant’s doors on Nov. 15 and were immediately met with rave reviews. Many of the menu items, Leis says, were made even better with Hurren’s contributions, such as the addition of her Alabama white sauce and quick-pickled onions on his signature brisket sandwiches.
Appetizers at the restaurant include pulled pork flatbread topped with creamy buttermilk rank drizzle, housemade cornbread served with whipped Bee Sting honey butter, and deep-fried pickles.
A central component of the restaurant’s menu is its BBQ platters, where customers get a choice of meat between ribs, pulled pork, wings, chicken, or brisket served with their sides of choice, which include fries, coleslaw, cream corn, mac and cheese, or poutine.
Photo: Ward One Smokehouse and Brewery.
“We’re getting really great reviews. But, I’m not the kind of guy to say my food is better than anyone else, I’m just trying my best,” Leis said, noting that the compliments he’s received from customers about the space feeling like “home” mean more.
“One of the biggest things aside from the food that I’ve heard just being behind the bar is that our place feels so comfortable, there’s no pretentiousness. It feels like home,” Hurren added.
“Looking at the bar, you can just tell that there was a lot of time and effort that went into this place. Our staff are amazing, we get compliments all the time about how our staff go above and beyond,” she said.
“People are coming in, slouched down in their chairs watching a hockey game with their leg up, like they’re at home.”
Since opening their doors, the couple said the restaurant — which operates on a walk-in-only basis — has been consistently full.
“I had a guy come in last night, he was like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve never seen this parking lot so full ever driving by every day my entire life,'” Hurren laughed.
Leis said the response to the restaurant has made him nothing but emotional.
“I cry,” he said. “I just have to walk away from the cutting board for a second. I’m so grateful.”
With the restaurant now in full swing, the couple is working toward finalizing their brewery, which they say will be opening up “very soon.” Leis said he has already tested hundreds of recipes and is excited to finally pair the beer with the BBQ.
“We’re just taking this as an opportunity to try to do the food and the restaurant really well before we add in another variable,” Hurren told blogTO.
The restaurant also offers a hot sauce program, a mobile pig roaster and smoker for catering, and will soon feature a marketplace at its entrance, featuring house-made sauces, vacuum-packed meats, and products from other local small businesses.
Ward 1 Smokehouse and Brewery is located at 7636 Wellington County Rd 51 and is open from Wednesdays to Sundays.
