Coming to Hy-Vee Arena: New barbecue, vegetarian soul food, wings and an art gallery

Hy-Vee Arena is adding four new operations to its lineup.

▪ Shawnee-based Rufus Teague barbecue sauces is opening its first eatery. The menu will include brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, beans and cheesy corn.

John McCone was a backyard barbecue expert who started winning competitions. He founded his barbecue sauce company in 2004, naming it after family members. Now the sauces are sold in about 18,000 stores nationwide.

▪ Auset’s Vegetarian Cuisine will offer vegetarian, vegan and raw dishes “with a soul food flavor,” according to Hy-Vee Arena officials.

Items will include walnut dip and pita chips, a barbecue chickpea burger, tacos with walnut “meat,” build-your-own salads, and lentil soup. Drinks will include elderberry blast iced tea.

The owners did not return phone calls.

▪ Original Wing Busters and More. The menu will include wings, deli sandwiches and chicken sandwiches. It offers 44 different sauces.

It also has a restaurant in Kansas City, Kansas. It recently closed its Seventh Street location to open in the arena.

“I used to be a basketball player at Missouri State in Springfield with the Lady Bears, so this opportunity to be in a sports environment was exciting for me,” said Kimberly Bush, co-owner with her husband, Charles. “I’m in the military so we are offering military discounts.”

▪ Bias, a locally owned art gallery, will be in Suite 234, on the south side of the second level. The owners couldn’t be reached for comment.

This story was originally published February 28, 2020 at 5:00 AM.