Roaming Free BBQ, Inc brings a unique barbecue style with a highly layered flavor profile through the blending of high-quality spices and quality meats to the Detroit metro area.  Roaming Free’s core menu will be smoked meat using our homemade base rub with modifications for pork (pulled pork and ribs), beef (brisket) or chicken.  Specialty smoked items will include our mole inspired chicken, coffee and rosemary infused baby-back ribs, smoked lamb and turkey.  Our sides offered will be the classic coleslaw and potato salad, smoked mac and cheese and our special Caribbean style black beans flavored with chorizo, bacon and our proprietary mix of spices. In addition to our standard barbecue fare, we will be offering a vegan option, our “Barbaganoush”, a fusion of Middle Eastern flavors with American barbecue.

While we believe if barbecue needs sauce, it should be sent back, Roaming Free BBQ will initially provide customers with two sauce options: Jack and Jose.  Jack is our sweet sauce made from Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey, tomato and sweetened with maple syrup and brown sugar.  Jose is our hot sauce featuring Jose Cuervo Traditional tequila, Franks Hot Sauce, and agave syrup to balance the heat with just enough sweet.

Founder and Chef – Ian Rodriguez

Mr. Rodriguez is a master cook and a long-term business owner. He owned and operated Fat and Happy BBQ in the DC market (2013) and has 20 years of experience in food service, including managing and cooking for large-scale events. In late 2020, Mr. Rodriguez (and family) chose to go on the road and RV full time, “Roaming Free”. The experiment in food and flavors born of this travel is the inspiration for this venture. In his professional life, Mr. Rodriguez was a high-level executive with the Federal Government, responsible for highly technical roles, focusing on data security. After that role ended in spring of 2025, Ian relocated to the Detroit area to set down roots, with the intention of beginning a new in office job. But that wasn’t to be.  A serious health crisis (now resolved, thankfully) refocused Mr. Rodgriguez back to what gives him life.  Cooking really good food and sharing it with others.

 

CMO/Front of House – Suzanne Lamoureux

Ms. Lamoureux is a retired teacher and fine artist. After earning a degree in psychology, Suzanne spent the early years of her career working in Silicon Alley (NYC), becoming a web marketing expert while working for high profile companies including MTV, Alloy Online and Double-Click. In 2003 Ms. Lamoureux chose to refocus her attention and earn her masters in teaching, serving in public elementary schools for almost a decade. Ms. Lamoureux retired from teaching in 2012 and moved to central Arkansas. There she was elected the president of the Traditional Art Guild of Hot Springs, spearheading projects (galleries/workshops/events) that helped membership grow exponentially. Suzanne brings an ease of presence, a great sense of creativity/problem solving and the ability to relate to all kinds of people.

Please contact at info@roamingfree.net for any additional information you may be looking for.