This preview of Leonard's Budlong Hot Chicken, a popular Chicago eatery with multiple locations, showcased what the restaurateur and owner of Stone Soup Collective will be serving from his truck. Fans will be able to track down his eatery on wheels from 5 to 9 p.m. every other Wednesday between May 30 and August 22 at the Evergreen Lake House (29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen), during the town's free summer concert series, and at metro breweries on other days of the week (the schedule is coming soon). Menu items include Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches, tenders and on-the-bone fried chicken, as well as farm slaw (coleslaw with more than just cabbage), potato salad and macaroni and cheese. For those who want tasty fried chicken without the heat, Budlong will also serve the locally sourced Red Bird chicken "naked," or fire eaters can order it extra-hot.
Around the time that the Budlong truck launches, Leonard will also open up BBQ Supply Co., his barbecue event space and catering company that also has its roots in Chicago, where the entrepreneur has spread his love for barbecue with two locations. The Denver branch of BBQ Supply Co. can be found at 2180 South Delaware Street, across from the West Evans Park-N-Ride, in a building that was most recently home to Mame's Burritos.

Inside BBQ Supply Co.'s dining area. The sign came from a diner across the street from Leonard's first Chicago restaurant.
Linnea Covington
"I try not to get fancy with these dinners," Leonard says. "I like to keep all the food in the barbecue circle."
Leonard will also host barbecue classes at the BBQ Supply Co. space — the perfect way, he says, to learn all his pitmaster secrets. The only thing you won't find out is how he makes the hot chicken, a recipe that took him years to perfect and one that he keeps secret.
The chef came to town last year to do a Budlong pop-up at The Source, and after that went well, he decided to open Au Feu at Zeppelin Station. During that time, his family fell in love with Colorado, so they decided to stay and bring his Chicago restaurants to the Denver. (Unlike the Budlong and BBQ Supply Co., though, Au Feu is a Denver original and serves Montreal-style brisket sandwiches and poutine.)
With Leonard's two new businesses ready to launch, you know that where there's smoke, there's fryer.