Brisket is King at Pig Cow Spud

Cory Cunningham and his family own the food establishments light heartedly named Pig, Cow, Spud in Scappoose at The Lodge Carts and at Wild Wood Golf Course in the clubhouse. The third now opened on the riverfront in St. Helens at the roof-top location inside the Muckle Building. Once riding the elevator to the top from the setback door entrance you find two exceptional things: the spectacular view of the mountains and mighty Columbia River and the food offered. The view and food collide in a magical way for customers. It’s much more than fast food, it’s delicious hand-built flavor there while you sit at the top of the world.

The first thing you notice when Cory, the proprietor, is in the house is his warm welcome and appetite to please the guests. He knows all about hard work and it’s helped him make Pig, Cow, Spud into a recognized name.  

Corys past life has helped him become successful, his father was a jockey who raced at Jantzen Beach and lived in Ridgefield Washington. He says his dad helped to inspire success through perseverance and hard work. He remembers his family going to St. Helens from across the river to dine out at prior legends like the Dockside.

Before Pig, Cow, Spud Cory worked in logistics for trucking and petroleum inspection. Cory met his wife Stephanie, a farmer’s daughter by happenstance. She was employed in the dental industry. He and his wife Stephanie have a true zeal for hospitality, and you can genuinely see it in action at the rooftop location. The staff hustle is noticeable, and they ensure that guests are heartily greeted. Several family members also joined in the business until other passions took over as they grew up or moved on to their own callings.

Cory is a fraternal twin, his other half stayed in Ridgefield where they do tree lighting events in LaCenter during the tree lighting. One goal is to have a place in Ridgefield that will continue the brand too. Cory, already spends one week a month driving to each of the locations ensuring customer satisfaction for his delicious and innovative menu selections.

Pig Cow Spud started off with his grandmother, who was a cook, baked Ruth Huber Raleigh Hills  – sour dough pancakes and pies were his favorite that soon became his specialty at a young age. Although his grandfather offered them a MacDonalds franchise very early on they couldn’t imagine who would want to buy premade hamburgers. He continued to cook throughout his life and would often be cooking for 200 to 300 people in their neighborhood with entertainment, fireworks in his home of Ridgefield. Soon he was cooking it up for other community events that wanted seriously delicious food. Eventually they started to do cars events and many others.

When Stephanie and Cory met they went to Spirit of Halloweentown in 2021 and then participated in it the next year. They were so slammed they could not handle the crowds. When management changed for the hallowed event Cory opted out of participating in Spirit of Halloweentown, but it inspired them to officially start the family business of Pig Cow Spud in May of 2023 with a customized food cart at exceptionally well designed The Lodge Carts in Scappoose. The spark was more than alive, it was on fire.

Cory thinks that the Food Cart industry is getting a bit watered down at this point. They consistently get invited to expand to other pods as the owners try to cover the desires of the semi quick food community looking for all the options in the informal eating atmosphere. Thus far they have decided to add a Rock-A-Way Beach brick and mortar location in an old pizza location.

Specializing in BBQ and live fire grills they have a tremendous demand for custom curated meat and they have gone through over 5 smokers already. Cory says he has smokers all over to keep up with the demand. His bestsellers are brisket sandwiches and his famously filled spuds.

In St. Helens’ roof top location, the food competes or is embellished by the view. On any given day view or food might win but only one satisfies the stomach so handsomely. The pizza is spectacular and available only at the Roof location. Their pretzels stand alone and are gigantic. People stare at the lucky one who ordered as they were delivered by the excellent wait staff. The woe factor screams out as they slide onto the table; but the same could be said for their incredible nachos or pizza, burgers or spuds.  This place does not disappoint in both quantity nor quality.

Favorite foods that you might not be expecting are items like The Black Bean Burger which allows you to eat guilt free just by saying the words. Saturdays and Sundays allow for a delicious way to start your day with a number of breakfast options too.

We have yet to find any more scrumptious offerings in the BBQ arena in the area and none that beat the accompanying view on the rooftop. It’s much more than fast food, it’s delicious hand-built flavor there while you sit at the top of the world.

Cory is excited to build the reputation of his establishments and make Pig Cow Spud into the tastiest local chain imaginable.  We think he is well on his way.  

Cory with just one of the many beers from the tap.

Loaded stuffed potatoes
have WOW inside.

YUM FACTORY.

DELICIOUS COCKTAILS ARE ESSENTIAL – ADD COOL SUMMER BREEZES AND SPECTACULAR VIEWS.

DON’T FORGET YOUR FRIENDS!