Botto’s BBQ, an acclaimed barbecue truck that closed two years ago after its owner was sentenced to nearly four years in prison, is back open and smoking at its original industrial Northwest Portland home.

Formerly stylized as Botto Barbecue, the truck opened in spring of 2016 in a skinny lot sandwiched between a commercial paint store and a crossfit gym and quickly grew a devoted following for its dry-rubbed, Texas-style brisket and ribs. At the time, Darren Bottinelli said he had fallen in love with barbecue while in college in Austin, Texas.

But unbeknownst to many of his customers, Bottinelli was already facing trial for stealing $3 million from clients of his former health care funds management company, Axis Health Partners, to pay for a lavish lifestyle of hotels, golf and fine restaurants. In December of 2016, he was sentenced to 46 months at the minimum security prison in Sheridan. He served about two years, with time off given for graduating from a drug abuse program and good behavior.

Last week, Botto’s Instagram announced the cart had reopened. On Thursday afternoon, the lot was quiet, save for a Ryan Adams song playing on the speakers. The cart had already sold out of brisket -- “I just don’t know how much to make yet,” Bottinelli told a customer. Pork ribs, wrapped in bark, smoky and a little sweet, were nearly as good as they were two years ago.

Look for Botto’s BBQ from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday at 2204 N.W. Roosevelt St.

-- Michael Russell @tdmrussell