FABD & Smokehouse (Highlands)

Dropped by the newest Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot & Smokehouse location at Bardstwon Rd & Lucia Ave for the first time earlier this week for lunch. They've been open only about 3-4 weeks, and the interior remains a little spare, but that doesn't detract from their excellent pulled meat BBQ sandwiches and sides. I had the BBQ Chicken, which was piled high inside a large bun and quickly discovered that trying to pick it up in my hands and eat would be a futile effort (a knife and fork came in handy). In addition, I ordered their baked beans, which I normally doctor with a little BBQ sauce, but theirs didn't need it -- tangy with just the right amount of "smoke" flavor. Not a huge menu for lunch, but a balanced variety of ribs, sandwiches and sides....I will definitely return, and anxious to try their ribs.

Had dinner at FABD Frankfort on Sunday...

...love their food, but that place is so packed, like a bar, that it's often tough to even get any service if you're wanting dinner.

Furthermore, they were out of wings, ribs, brisket, & Mac N Cheese.....at Sunday at 7pm, which by all acounts, seemed to be one of their busier times, as the crowd extended all the way into the parking lot.

They had one server which looked to be handling their bustling carry-out business as well as the packed house & deck.

Love the place, but they could benefit from a little more staff. And that's the 2nd straight time I've been denied wings b/c they were "out of them". I understand BBQ isn't a food that you can easily fix more of if you run out, but being out of Ribs, Brisket, AND Wings at dinnertime on Sunday seems a bit ridiculous to me.


...regarding the baked beans, they are really good. They seemed to have a strong beer flavor, are they made w/ beer does anyone know?

Went for my 2nd Togo on Monday , remember thinking "o crap, hope it's slow cuz it's a Monday"
the smoked chipolte honey wings were much more heavily sauced then before,(not groovy) but Mike's pork sand ws great and typical flavors of the Frankfort location. It's a great 2nd space for them, and I'm proud to be a repeat customer. I think it's the perfect venue for that biz.

Had dinner at FABD Frankfort on Sunday...
they were out of wings, ribs, brisket, & Mac N Cheese.....at Sunday at 7pm

I hear ya that it sucks when a kitchen is out of product. I speak from experience, it doesn't feel good to tell your servers that you don't have enough inventory to fill their order. It probably sucks even more for the server who has to convey that information to the hungry customer.

Managing the inventory at any restaurant is an incredibly heavy load. Compound this with a new location serving predominately smoked meats: I can't imagine the calculus involved in that equation! I currently have only 3 house smoked products on the menu & that seems like a nightmare to keep up with.

FABD has been putting out a consistent, highly in demand product for years at the original location. Let's all give them a little time to settle into the location and get a pace on demand.

Feeling pretty confident that your next visit will be more positive.

Well, no server issues, cuz it was only wee Pete filling in. I'm going back n back again, so no problems there. It's hard to drag me over to that part of the avenues, but it really was just me in there at that point. I think it's ok to say I love and support them, but the wings were not as good (she cautiously stated) as the first time. In reiteration, the sandwich was. Sorry, the pc mode is on from living in ca....

PS shut up mark. Your smoked bison ribs were great tonight. Although I did have to run into the ladies room for an oreo cookie tooth check after dinner.

PS shut up mark. Your smoked bison ribs were great tonight. Although I did have to run into the ladies room for an oreo cookie tooth check after dinner.

LOL-
glad you enjoyed the ribs Nora!

Mark, Adrian actually indicated that she was at the original location . . .

Re: FABD & Smokehouse (Highlands)

Postby Adrian Baldwin » Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:10 am
Had dinner at FABD Frankfort on Sunday...