Every great backyard pitmaster knows that the secret to legendary barbecue isn't just the wood or the smoker—it’s the rub. For years, folks around the Ozarks knew exactly who to turn to when they wanted the best flavors in town. Richy “Wingman” Shertz was a fixture at charity barbecue events and competitive cook-offs, spending countless hours hunched over smoking grates, tweaking recipes, and feeding the community. His food was fantastic, but it was his signature seasoning blend that had people talking. Richy ran on a strict "less is more" philosophy, bypassing complex chemicals in favor of just six easily readable, common household ingredients. Perfectly blended for maximum impact, the secret to the rub's incredible aroma is its freshness—especially the bold black pepper, which is freshly ground just moments before going into the bottle.
For a long time, that blend was a closely guarded secret, mixed in small batches for friends, family, and fundraisers. But great flavor has a way of demanding a bigger stage.
A Partnership Built on Flavor
The turning point came when Richy crossed paths with local entrepreneur Louise Jones. Recognizing the immense potential of Richy’s recipe—and seeing how much joy it brought to anyone who tasted it—Louise teamed up with the pitmaster to take the seasoning from the competition circuit to the commercial market.
Together, they did things the right way. They took Richy's time-tested recipe and developed a professionally bottled, locally produced seasoning that refuses to cut corners. For the health-conscious griller, the specs on this bottle are exactly what you want to see:
Instead of packing the bottle with cheap flowing agents or artificial enhancers, Wingman BBQ Seasoning relies strictly on high-quality, robust spices that build a deep, savory bark without overpowering the meat.
From Competition Ribs to the All-Purpose Spice Rack
While Richy originally engineered the rub to win over judges on competition baby back ribs, its incredible balance has turned it into a staple well beyond the smoker. In fact, many locals have stopped putting it away with their grilling gear, opting to keep it right on the kitchen counter as a daily general spice.
Because the flavors are so clean and approachable, it elevates just about anything it touches.
Where to Use It:
Where to Grab a Bottle Locally
You don't have to wait for the next regional cook-off to get your hands on a bottle. While Wingman BBQ is rapidly expanding to other regional locations, it has stayed true to its West Plains roots.
If you are looking to elevate your next weekend smoke—or just your morning breakfast—you can pick up a bottle right now at these local mainstays:
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West Plains Locations |
Specialty & Location Type |
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Dennis' Meat Market |
Local Butcher & Grocer |
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Masons Meat Market |
Local Butcher & Grocer |
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Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply |
West Plains Location |
|
Monty's Outdoors |
West Plains Location |
Get in Touch & Stock Your Shelves
Whether you are a backyard enthusiast looking for more information, a griller out of the area wanting to order, or a retailer looking to stock your own shelves with this authentic Ozarks local seasoning, the team would love to hear from you.
Whether you're firing up a backyard pit for a neighborhood block party or just frying up some eggs on a Tuesday morning, remember: everybody needs a Wingman.
The Small Business Spotlight is a sponsored feature series provided by Suit7 Development to highlight local entrepreneurship.
