Meet the Owners: Nate and Staci McCormick

Nate and Staci McCormick are a brother and sister duo with a knack for roasting a pig. 

“Our dad convinced my mom to get a pig roaster because he thought it would be fun,” Nate McCormick said. “After that he was always hosting pig roasts and inviting family and friends over to the house and at some point we just learned how to do it.”

At the time, no one knew this weekend hobby would become much more in the future.

“Dad talked about opening a restaurant one day but we all laughed it off and thought it would never happen,” Staci McCormick said.

Years later the recession hit and the family of five found themselves in uncertain territory.

“My dad and I were let go from our jobs within a week of each other,” Nate McCormick said. “That’s when dad decided to live out his dream. He opened a family restaurant and he brought us along for the ride.”

The McCormicks bought the old Taco Loco building on First Avenue West and opened Mr. Pig Stuff, a drive thru and catering restaurant that has quickly become known for its pork sandwiches and brisket.

When it first opened about a year and a half ago, all five of the McCormicks were behind the grill or manning the cash register.

“It’s truly a family business,” Staci McCormick said recently as she and her brother prepped for the lunch crowd. The two work their way around the familiar kitchen with ease, laughing and joking with each other as they work. “Who knew it would take a sinking economy for all of this to happen?”

Their father eventually returned to the corporate world, but the three kids are committed to the business. “We didn’t see any of this coming,” Nate McCormick said. “Somehow it’s all worked out for the best though.”

All three sibings hold other jobs though. Both Nate and older brother Chris work at other restaurants in town while Staci is a lawyer.

“I certainly have two jobs that couldn’t be more different,” she chuckled. “I really like being here. It’s a nice change of pace and I get to hang out with my brothers.”

Despite working long hours at times, the McCormicks are planning to expand the business born in their backyard. 

“We haven’t done any advertising – it’s all been word of mouth and our business is growing,” Nate McCormick said. “We never expected it to grow this fast.”

The family is now looking for a larger space in Shakopee in order to expand.