New menu items, artwork and music in the works
King Smokehouse BBQ’s menu is inspired by faith, taste and family with new dishes such as baby back ribs rounding out the freshly smoked selection.
“My inspiration and my passion and the two biggest influences in my life would be my father, Allen King Sr., and my pastor – they give me the strength to do all this,” says King Smokehouse BBQ owner Allen King Jr.
King says his restaurant is like a construction site where his family, pastor and every customer coming through the door serve as bricks in the foundation of his new endeavor. King thanks customers for their trust and support by providing delicious Memphis-style rubs and Texas-style beef brisket.
He says the addition of a new fry station in the kitchen has quickened the production process for nonsmoked items. He and his cooks are always striving to make the wait for a serving of the restaurant’s wings that are smoked, fried and tossed in one of six different flavors as short as possible, without sacrificing taste.
“Barbecue is more than something we eat – it’s a sport and I am very competitive,” King says.
A new item on the list of favorite recipes topped by King’s famous Coca-Cola barbecue sauce is the new Memphis-style rub baby back ribs. All entrees, including the new rib platter, are served with corn on the cob, a large roll from Niedlov’s Breadworks and two sides.
King also offers a rib sandwich consisting of ribs, his secret barbecue sauce and coleslaw. Like most of his dishes, he says the rib sandwich can’t be eaten just like a sandwich – it is made to be messy and hands-on.
King learned how to cook from his mother, Doris King, who always let him have a hand in her recipes while preparing meals.
“My son has always been interested in the kitchen,” Doris says. “He was always coming in and asking, ‘How do you do that mom?’ He’s already topped me now. The kitchen is his.”
King brings influences from his youth into his restaurant, honoring a traditional style of cooking that requires time, patience and a loving touch. As new customers join the growing fan base for King’s barbecue, King says he is going to develop the restaurant so it can offer much more than food.
“I want to display local artists’ talents in here,” says King, who has filled his walls with artwork and is planning to add live music soon. “I want to put together a house female singing group to go along with a house band. Auditions are now being given.”
King will take down two walls that separate an inner room in the restaurant to create a stage and seating area for performances to be held on Friday and Saturday nights.
KING SMOKEHOUSE BBQ
LOCATED: 1800 E. Main St.
PHONE: 475-5937.
HOURS: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
NICE TO KNOW: King Smokehouse features a kid’s menu with hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and burgers and fries.