Seekonk's Boneyard Barbecue a Success of Serendipity

Billy Beggs, co-owner of the Boneyard Barbecue & Saloon in Seekonk, said the place got started completely by serendipity.

Beggs, who worked in the corporate world as a manager most of his life, said he and co-owner Carnig Ashchian were united by chance.

The two met and became friends while Ashchian was working at a nightclub in Boston.

"We lost contact after that, but we came back together," he said.

Beggs said he was going to another restaurant back in the middle of the last decade, and saw Ashchian.

"I said, 'What are you doing behind the counter?'" he said. "[Ashchian] said, 'Oh, this is my place,' and we started talking. I went there with another friend, who I didn't know already knew him. That was the weird thing."

Beggs said Ashchian had been developing his menu for more than 14 years in the business. He said Ashchian was looking to sell that business and start another one.

"Mainly because it was too small and it didn’t have a liquor license," he said. "He was looking for someplace bigger, but he didn't have quite enough capital."

The two decided to go into business together, and bought the Chinese restaurant that is now the Boneyard. He said they had to do a great deal of renovation, since the atmosphere of the old restaurant was darker and more separated then they wanted.

Beggs said the formation of the barbecue theme was also somewhat of an accident.

"We were going to be the Boneyard Saloon, but the town of Seekonk didn't want a saloon in the town," he said. "That's why we're a barbecue place and that's why the menu has a barbecue theme."

Beggs said they pride themselves on the decoration of the restaurant. Everything in it is unique, even down to the table coverings. Each table has different designs, harkening back to days gone by. He said when Showcase Live was doing live music, they had a deal to cater to the musicians. Guitars line the interior of the restaurant. He said Ashchian gave the food to the musicians for a small price.

"Carnig bought the guitars online," he said. "We give the musicians food and they sign the guitars."

The walls are lined with guitars, vintage posters and everything else you can think of, including a World War II bomb, complete with a Jolly Roger on the front.

Beggs said although the restaurant has a "tough guy" feel to it, their clientele are not just bikers.

"We don't alienate people," he said.

He pointed to the booths and bar and pointed out the family enjoying their meal right across from a couple clad in black leather.

"We like families, I mean just look out at who's here right now," he said. "In this economy, you can't leave anybody out, you'd be cutting off half your business."

The Boneyard is probably now famous in the area for its annual wing off. It began a a fundraiser for muscular dystrophy about five years ago with one fire department, and now it hosts departments as far away as Mansfield.

"It got so big, we had to move it to the VFW," he said. "We just didn't have the space anymore."

He said the fifth annual edition is scheduled for Sept. 29 this year.

The Boneyard Barbecue & Saloon is located at 540 Central Ave. and is open Sunday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.