Pasco Owner To Open Red’s Smokehouse & Tap Room in Main Gate Square

Ribs (Credit: Flickr/fiftynightshades)

A new restaurant in Main Gate Square, specializing in craft beer and Arizona-inspired barbecue, is on the horizon for Pasco Kitchen & Lounge owner Ramiro Scavo.

Scavo plans to launch his new venture, dubbed Red’s Smokehouse and Tap Room, in September across the street from Pasco, just west of the University of Arizona.

The location, at 943 E. University Blvd, will take over the former home of the sandwich shop, Which Wich.

Red’s will feature a front-end retail space, where thirsty Wildcat tailgaters and craft beer enthusiasts will be able to purchase mix-and-match six packs or have growlers filled with locally produced brews, before the big game.

The rest of the 2,800 square feet of property will consist of a full-service restaurant, offering classic barbecue fare such as beef ribs, brisket, pork ribs and pork shoulder, with an Arizona twist.

“Well be taking Southwestern and Sonoran elements, things like guajillo chiles, and incorporating them into our dishes,” Scavo said. “Back East, the barbecue is really sweet. In Texas, it is really dry. We are going to have those good Southwestern spices and flavors in our glazes and dry rubs.”

The restaurant will use all Arizona beef and Arizona mesquite, oak and pecan for its wood-burning grill and smoker.

Scavo said Arizona has long had its own style of barbecue.

“I’ve lived in Arizona more than half my life and I am always cooking outside,” he said. “Smoking foods and barbecuing is what we are doing on our days off, when we are relaxing but still working around food.”

Scavo believes the timing is right to open a second restaurant, with the streetcar bringing more people to Main Gate Square and the rapid redevelopment and growth happening in the downtown and university areas.

“We have seen business build at Pasco,” said Scavo, who opened the “urban farm” concept in February, 2011. “The new restaurant is within walking distance. You can see the front doors of Red’s from Pasco’s patio space. We feel comfortable expanding a little bit.”

Red’s Facebook page will be up-and-running within the next couple of weeks.

For now, keep up with Pasco Kitchen & Lounge on Facebook.