Usher's Mom Opens Barbecue Restaurant Near Atlanta

Usher’s mom is proving that there can be more than one successful business person in the family. 

Jonnetta Patton - who once served as manager to her superstar son - has opened a new barbecue restaurant and mobile food trailer, J’s Smokehouse in Doraville, Georgia. 

Serving the typical barbecue fare like ribs, brisket, and chicken, the restaurant also offers a vegan hot dog and vegan pulled pork sandwich for non-meat eaters.  

 At a grand opening event earlier this month, both of Patton's sons showed up to celebrate their mom. Usher, of course, and his brother James "JLack" Lackey, a Grammy-award nominated songwriter and producer were on hand to congratulate their mom.

In a video posted on social media, Usher is seen standing beside his mom encouraging his followers to come support his mom's new venture.  

“So happy to be out here supporting my mom and her new business,” Usher says to the camera. 

He then looks lovingly at his mother and says, “Congratulations.”

Patton goes on to talk about the menu and shares with Usher’s social media followers that the recipes for the macaroni and cheese and collard greens are “Grandma’s recipe[s].” 

Usher turns the camera on the crowd taking pictures of him and shows two men preparing food in the trailer. He lets the camera roll as he reunites with old friends and fans, stopping to take pictures and talk about the barbecue. 

Following the grand opening, J’s Smokehouse announced that they’ll be at State Farm arena to cater for Usher and his crew who are performing there this week.

This isn’t Patton’s first foray into the food business. In 2016, she launched J’s Kitchen Culinary Incubator, a company that provides commercial kitchen space and equipment to aspiring chefs and caterers.  Earlier this summer Patton was honored by Sysco Foods with the Influencer Award for her contributions to the culinary industry.