Built on Story, Not Just a Menu
Pig-O-Latte’s didn’t start as a business idea. It started as a promise made over a cup of coffee.
At four years old, a visit from a Sicilian great uncle turned into something permanent. He poured a cup, said yes, and unknowingly set the foundation. That moment — coffee, family, and Italian roots — turned into a childhood declaration: one day, there would be an Italian food truck.
That idea never left.
Fire, Craft, and Obsession
At 17, barbecue entered the picture. Tri-tip wasn’t even on the radar until it showed up through family — cooked by someone known for doing it right. That moment became a pivot.
No shortcuts followed. No formal school either.
Techniques were studied quietly. Methods were tested repeatedly. Flavor became personal. Over time, the approach evolved into something distinct — traditional foundation with a controlled twist.
Tested Where It Matters
Pig-O-Latte’s wasn’t built in isolation.
The work showed up in competition at events including Battle of the Bones, local Brewfest events and The Smokin’ Wagon.
Results came against experienced competitors:
- 2nd Place — Judges Choice Tri-Tip
- 3rd Place — People’s Choice
- 4th Place — Ribs, Judges
Those placements matter because competition barbecue is technical, unforgiving, and judged blind. Consistency and execution are the signals that count.
The Turning Point
On September 12, 2023, everything nearly ended.
A fire broke out in the middle of the night. Survival came down to seconds. His wife woke him up and pulled him out. Five animals made it out with them.
Many things didn’t.
Recovery took over two years.
This part of the story is not used for sympathy. It matters because it changed direction, priorities, and clarity. When everything is stripped away, what remains tends to be real.
Built Together
This is not a solo story.
- 21 years together
- Built through setbacks, not just milestones
- Supported by family, creativity, and faith
There is music, poetry, and a household that runs on more than just food. The same discipline that goes into cooking shows up in everything else. Hathaway and Kirsten have been blessed with a new path forward, and are proud to be a part of the Valley.
What Pig-O-Latte’s Actually Is
Pig-O-Latte’s sits in a rural part of Josephine County, Oregon. Not on a main route. Not driven by ads.
This is not a scaled concept or a polished brand trying to look local.
It is local.
Part of the Rogue Valley Business Collective
Pig-O-Latte’s is part of the Rogue Valley Business Collective , a network of locally owned businesses working together to increase visibility, build trust, and keep more dollars circulating within Southern Oregon.
Through shared digital infrastructure, verified local identity, and cross-support between members, the Collective helps small businesses grow without relying entirely on paid ads or national platforms. For Pig-O-Latte’s , that means a rural food truck can still reach the right people, stay rooted in its community, and be part of something larger than a single location.
Our Anthem
This isn’t just a song. It’s a marker.
It was written before the climb, before everything shifted, before the kind of moments that force you to decide who you are going to be on the other side of it. Hearing it now, it lands differently. Not because the words changed, but because the weight behind them did.
That same energy lives here.
Pig O’Latte’s is being built the same way this song was written — through uncertainty, through pressure, and with the decision to keep moving forward anyway. There’s no shortcut to something real. There’s only showing up, again and again, until it becomes something that lasts.
This is the anthem behind it.
Not polished. Not perfect. Just real.
Come See What We’re Building.
Visit Pig O’Latte’s on Riverbanks Road for BBQ, Italian-style sandwiches and coffee — or bring the smoker to your next gathering with Pig-Up Catering.