I just got back from my first visit to Smokehouse. I have to give it a big thumb's up, and a nice addition to the Creek.
I can't comment much on the decor, having never visited during the Pizza Hut or Mexican restaurant days, but it's tastefully done with a few piggy knicknacks scattered about. There is a full bar with a couple beers on tap (I didn't look closely as I'm not a beer drinker).
They weren't very busy when I dropped in, but it was midafternoon. I was promptly greeted, seated, and offered a beverage by a friendly server (she called the guy in the kitchen "Dad" so I assume she was the owner's daughter).
The menu is a bit more varied than Bootleg's (which has been my previous go-to for bbq). Appetizers range from fried pickles to onion straws to fried green beans with prices starting at $3.95 up to $7.95 (for 8 pieces of chicken tenders). Knowing I can usually never finish my main course, I didn't try any of these.
Salads include a basic side salad and smoked chicken or turkey and a grilled salmon caesar salad that piqued my interest ($2.49 to $8.49). Perhaps another visit...
Sandwiches served with one side include pulled pork, chicken,and beef brisket, a "gobbler melt" with smoked turkey, swiss, and onions grilled and served on rye bread. Also available are a burger (two 1/3 pound patties) and a fish sandwich (Walleye! Must try that too). 1/4 slab of loin back and spare ribs are also available. Prices range from $6.45 to $9.00 (the fish) for the sandwich, side and pickle.
Dinners with two sides and bread include loin back ribs ($12.95 half, $19.95 full), spare ribs ($11.95 and $18.95), pulled pork or chicken ($8.45), brisket ($9.95), smoked turkey or 1/2 a smoked chicken ($8.95), and a 12 oz top sirloin. There are also combo meals for $12.99 (ribs and meat) or $10.99 for two meats.
I went with the combo of pulled pork and pulled chicken. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The pork was bit tougher. Meats come out dry, and three sauces are offered: sweet, spicy, and hot. Sweet and spicy are both mild and tasty. Hot was a bit more salty and hard-edged. I finished both the pork and the chicken, but the chicken won out for me.
Two bread choices are listed on the menu: barbecue bread and cornbread. I didn't specify which one I wanted. My meal came out with a slice of Texas toast that went well with the meal. I'm a stickler for cornbread (much prefer the skillet fried corncake variety over baked, and I forgot to ask which kind they had) so I was pleased with the toast.
Sides include green beans (cooked soul food style with pork) that taste like my Mom made them, mac and cheese, collard greens, sweet potato fries, homemade seasoned chips, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, side salad, baked beans, baked apples, cole slaw (apparently homemade according to my server), and "potato of the day."
That potato of the day turned out to be fried potatoes with onions, my favorite comfort food of all time. Chunked, skin on potatoes fried with sweet onions...pure bliss. I was informed that they've also had mashed potatoes and pepper gravy and hash brown casserole as the potato of the day.
"Side Samplers" are available in plates of 3 for $5.25 and 4 for $6.75.
Soup of the day (today's was bean soup) served in a bread bowl is $4.95. The kids menu consists of the typical choices: chicken tenders, burger, pulled pork or chicken, hot dog, and grilled cheese for $3.75 to $4.50 including homemade chips or fries.
Desserts available are banana cream and coconut cream pies ($3.95) and chocolate cobbler ($4.25). I had no room left for dessert, so that'll be saved for another day too.
Again, I recomend everyone try it. I'd like for this place to stay open! I also put in a vote for making the fried potatoes and onions an everyday choice.
Thanks!