By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

MAPLESVILLE — Dining options in Maplesville have expanded with the opening of Heard’s BBQ.

Owner and Maplesville native Roman Heard said he has wanted to open his own restaurant for at least the past decade.

“I started out cooking from home, and just started off giving food away because I loved cooking so much,” Heard said.

The popularity of his food led to opening the restaurant.

“I love to cook for other people, for other people to enjoy it,” Heard said.

His interest in cooking began watching his mother and grandmother. Heard said his mom barbecued a lot and the cooking style fascinated him. Ribs were the first dish he learned to barbecue. Now, it is one of his favorite items on the menu.

Cooking the ribs takes about two and a half hours. Heard said he sears the meat on the grill before placing it in the smoker.

“You have a lot of people who want the grilled flavor, and they want the tenderness that the smoker will give it,” Heard said.

In addition to ribs, the menu includes chopped pork sandwiches, smoked chicken and smoked sausage

“Also, I like doing seafood — catfish and shrimp boils,” Heard said.

The fried catfish sandwich is a staple on the menu, while seafood boils will be a weekend special on select nights.

“You can tell when people don’t really love what they are doing, and with me everything I cook, I take it personally — I want it to be the best you’ve ever had,” Heard said.

For now, Heard’s BBQ is carry out only, but plans are made for developing seating areas. Other ideas in the works include live music nights.

Heard’s is open every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. He is also open on select Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m.

Heard said his closing hours will be flexible to give people a place to get food after the local sports events.

Bulk quantities are available for large events.

Four employees help Heard keep the restaurant running.

“One of the ladies that works here really has a lot of experience in the restaurant business,” Heard said, commenting that this was helpful in some of the business details.

As Heard began developing his business location, friends and community members lent support to get the restaurant up and running.

Heard was the first-place winner in the 2015 Maplesville Athletic Club barbecue cook off.