After a 20-year run as a chuckwagon-themed restaurant, Cactus Bob’s BBQ Corral closed in Johnston.

Craig Dedecker and Bob Prince opened their restaurant at 5955 Merle Hay Road in 2005 using many of Dedecker’s great-grandmother’s recipes. The year before that, they started selling their salsas, pickles, smoked beef jerky, meat marinades and specialty sauces as a vendor at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market.

“It is with both sadness and great pride that after over 20 years in business, Cactus Bob’s is now closed. Bob and Craig appreciate your years of patronage and hope to see you out on the dusty trail,” the restaurant posted on Facebook.

Cactus Bob’s specialized in smoking pork butts and beef briskets over hickory for up to 20 hours. The restaurant offered baby back and St. Louis-s

See Full Page