This article was first published in Volume 1, Issue 4 of the Owensboro Times newspaper.
When most people think of J’s Good Grub, they picture the sizzling grill, the bold flavors, and that unmistakable aroma drifting from one of Owensboro’s most recognizable food trucks. But behind the window — behind the hustle — is the heart that keeps it all together: Antoinette Johnson.
She’s the friendly face that greets customers with a smile, remembers their orders, and makes everyone feel like family. She’s also the one balancing the books, managing the employees, organizing fundraisers, and making sure the truck rolls out on time. And for more than a decade, she’s been the steady force helping her husband, Jay Johnson, turn a weekend hobby into one of Owensboro’s favorite local businesses.
“I’ve always been behind the scenes,” Antoinette said. “But now I’m starting to come out of my shell a little more. I just want people to know that even though it’s called J’s Good Grub, this is a family thing. We all built this together.”
From South Carolina to the Bluegrass
Antoinette’s journey to Owensboro started hundreds of miles away in South Carolina. After joining the military, she was stationed at Fort Knox in 2011, a move that would unexpectedly set her life on a new course.
“I ended up in Fort Knox, and that’s where me and Jeremy met — or Jay, depending on who you ask,” she said with a laugh. “We actually met online first, talked for a while, and then finally met in person. He was living in Owensboro, and that’s what brought me here.”
By around 2014, Antoinette had settled into her new home. Jay was working at Aleris (now Commonwealth Rolled Products), and Antoinette was a preschool teacher with Audubon Area Head Start.
“It was a big change from military life,” she said. “But I loved working with kids, and I actually ended up doing in-home childcare for about 20 years total. That gave me a lot of experience on the business side.”
From weekend hobby to something more
Like many small businesses, J’s Good Grub didn’t start as a grand plan. It began as a simple idea to keep Jay busy on the weekends.
“He worked at the factory and was getting bored,” Antoinette said. “He’s always loved to cook, and his food was amazing. It was literally supposed to be a hobby — something small, just on the weekends.”
But Owensboro had other plans. Once the couple rolled out their first food truck, word spread fast. Jay’s signature dishes drew crowds everywhere they parked. But behind the sizzle was a carefully organized system that Antoinette was quietly building.
“He comes up with the ideas, and I come up with the plan to make them happen,” she said. “I took care of the scheduling, the finances, and managing employees.”
The face at the window
If you’ve ever ordered from J’s Good Grub, you’ve probably met Antoinette. Her energy, humor, and warmth are part of the brand itself.
“I love being in the window,” she said. “I tell people all the time, I’ll never remember your name, but I’ll remember your face and your order.”
Her connection with customers became one of the keys to the truck’s success. As the lines grew longer and the business expanded, her window conversations helped build a loyal following.
“It’s more than just serving food,” she said. “You get to know people, their kids, their jobs, what’s going on in their lives. That’s what makes it special.”
Jay agrees that her presence has been a huge part of their growth.
“Customer service is everything,” he said. “We’ve got A-1 food, but we also have A-1 customer service. Once she meets a customer, she remembers their order and gives them that unforgettable experience. People come back because of that.”
A family business in every sense
Today, J’s Good Grub operates two full trucks, plus “one in the driveway,” as Antoinette jokes. But what makes it truly special is how deeply family is woven into every part of the operation.
“Chuck is 18 and in college on a full scholarship for bowling,” Antoinette said proudly. “He’s been training as a cook but also learning the business side. We couldn’t be more proud of his drive and accomplishments. Jaylin is 16, and he’s at that age where he’s finding himself and what he wants to do. He’s really into marketing right now, so we’re trying to feed that fire. And Jayden, who’s 10, he’s a phenomenal cook like his dad, but he’s not working on the food truck until he can cook on the grill.”
Jay said that watching their kids grow alongside the business has been one of the greatest rewards.
“We’ve both done an amazing job teaching them to work for themselves,” he said. “When you work for yourself, it’s a different kind of grind. We’ve shown them that the sky’s the limit, and you can pretty much write your own destiny.”
Building a business, and a legacy
Jay and Antoinette’s growth didn’t happen overnight. It took long hours, tough decisions, and a lot of faith.
“When things started taking off, we had to make a choice,” Antoinette said. “We tried doing it while I was still working, but it got to where we couldn’t do both. The hardest part of making that leap was health insurance. Jay had insurance through his job, so giving that up was scary.”
Then Jay suffered a serious injury, a turning point for both of them.
“He had some health issues for a long time. He eventually had gastric bypass surgery because the doctors told him he wouldn’t see 40. Now he’s over 40, still kicking and getting on my nerves,” she added with a laugh.
Through those challenges, their faith and community kept them moving forward.
“There were times we thought about quitting,” she admitted. “But people always showed up at the right time, giving a hug, offering encouragement, reminding us why we do this.”
For Antoinette, the community connection is what sets J’s Good Grub apart. Beyond serving customers, they’ve built relationships with schools, job sites, sports teams, and nonprofits across Owensboro.
“We’ve done fundraisers, fed the homeless, you name it,” she said. “People know when they see that truck, they can come get something to eat no matter where we are. We’ve built trust with this community. They know they’re going to get quality food and quality treatment.”
Jay echoed that sentiment.
“The love and support from Owensboro have been overwhelming,” he said. “Everything we’ve given has been given back tenfold. People here have watched our kids grow up, supported our business, and become part of our family.”
That family atmosphere extends to their staff as well, many of whom are teenagers learning the ropes for the first time.
“I love watching the staff grow,” Antoinette said. “I make sure everyone learns all stations so they’re well-rounded. You never know what could happen, so everyone needs to be ready to jump in anywhere.”
Recognition overdue
Jay said that one thing he wishes more people realized is just how much Antoinette does for the business, and how often that work goes unseen.
“A lot of times, when there’s something around town that highlights women in business, she gets snubbed,” he said. “She’s put in just as much work as I have, probably more. People don’t realize all the behind-the-scenes stuff she handles. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”
At the end of the day, Antoinette says the long hours, hard work, and endless juggling are all worth it.
“There are good days and bad days,” she said. “But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade it. Seeing the smiles, meeting new people, watching our kids grow into it, that’s what it’s all about.”
For the Johnson family, J’s Good Grub is more than a business. It’s a reflection of their journey — a blend of love, perseverance, and purpose.
