Known for his amazing BBQ served at events, Big Swerve’s BBQ has found a permanent home in his hometown of Westville NJ! And the couple have also opened a beautiful event space called Stella’s Banquet Hall and Café.
It’s actually been a few months since the husband and wife team of Big Swerve Stephen and Darlene have opened up their businesses in Westville, and with things fully grooving I stopped in this week for a visit.
It’s an amazing roller coaster ride of success for the couple which starts with the pandemic shutdown just a few years ago when a friend asked Big Swerve “hey Swerve, how much would it cost for you to make me some of your delicious ribs and bring them over?”.
And now four years later Big Swerve’s BBQ and Stella’s Banquet Hall have moved into a space featuring a brand new commercial kitchen, a beautiful new event space, a permanent outdoor smoker set up, and starting April 20th Big Swerve celebrates the Grand Opening of his outdoor area!
Big Swerve’s BBQ is mostly a take out space with an order window at the back of the building, but Swerve tells me if there are no events going on at Stella’s you are welcome to sit inside and enjoy your meal.
You can also take your delicious meal into the Westville Brewery and pair your BBQ with an equally delicious locally brewed beer!
And on April 20th, Big Swerve’s BBQ celebrates the opening of their new outdoor dining space… with that outdoor space opening day featuring live music, a DJ and food specials!
Plus, peaking of events… on May 3rd Stella’s Banquet Hall is featuring a Jazz and R&B Night!
Big Swerve’s BBQ
Big Swerve’s BBQ in Westville features a wide range of traditional southern dishes and BBQ, including ribs, brisket and pulled pork… as well as amazing sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw and their legendary honey cornbread.
Swerve likes to mix things up at times… for example during Lent they offered Fish Fry Fridays! For my visit yesterday I tried a four pack of sliders where each one was a different delicious recipe including jerk chicken, brisket and pork!
Swerve and I were chatting about the BBQ and event space… and I found it difficult to put the food down long enough to have a conversation! Incredibly delicious and tender. And the cornbread? It’s a slice of heaven!
Big Swerve tells me he has always been comfortable in front of the grill.
Just a few years ago he was working at the Free Library of Philadelphia where his coworkers knew him for two things; always having with him weights (to workout) and a grill!
Big Swerve became the unofficial caterer for his fellow employees at the library, and they would all chip-in to pay Swerve to cook them lunch each day.
When the pandemic temporarily closed indoor dining, a friend reached out asking if Big Swerve could make him some of Swerve’s amazing ribs. Darlene is also an amazing cook and after getting that call he turned to her and said “maybe you can you make some of your incredible sides go along with the BBQ?”
Soon that first request from a friend turned into an Instagram page… and the text message based business found the couple cooking food for family, friends and new friends who heard about the quickly growing legend of Big Swerve’s BBQ!
That soon led to them purchasing a mobile BBQ food truck, which proved to be a smart decision. As the world started opening up again and people were more comfortable being in outdoor spaces, Big Swerve’s was there!
Big Swerve would regularly post updates on Instagram about where his mobile truck would be next… and his growing loyal fan base would follow.
This led to him to meeting the Rossi family who own the Westville Brewery… and the idea of Swerve taking over the separate space at the back of the building was formed.
Today the Westville Big Swerve’s BBQ location is open Thursday through Sunday, serving lunch and dinner… but be sure to check the hours at their website or just reach out and give them a call! Place your order and it will be ready for you when you arrive.
For the Spring and Summer of 2024, Big Swerve’s is opening an outdoor space at the Westville location which features several outdoor dining tables and a stage area.
April 20th will be the Grand Opening of the outdoor area, and the free event will feature a DJ and live music, as well as “4 for $20” specials!
Stella’s Banquet Hall & Cafe
Stella’s Banquet Hall & Cafe is a beautifully remodeled space perfect for weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, corporate events and meetings for up to 120 guests.
Plus Stella’s hosts fun entertaining events such as the May 3rd Jazz and R&B night!
The banquet hall was named after the beloved Nanna of the family, and it’s clear that Darlene and Steven created the space with the love and care that Stella brought to her family.
The interior design offers a beautiful decor that is both formal yet very comfortable and casual. Whether it’s a family reunion, small wedding for business meeting… you absolutely will be proud to share photos of your Stella’s hosted event!
The space features a full brand new commercial kitchen, and Stella’s offers packages from a room rental only, all the way up to a complete party experience featuring catered food from their in-house kitchen, tables, decorations, desserts… and even photography, balloon artistry and more!
Darlene and her team have the experience and talent to created a memorable experience for your event!
Links and Locations
Big Swerve’s BBQ
Westville Square Building
201 Broadway (Rear of Building)
Westville, NJ
Stella’s Banquet Hall and Cafe