Smokey Mo restaurant quietly opened mid-July in previously housed burger icon Shari’s Drive-In at 2650 N. 1st Ave.
First off, be aware that the local barbecue joint is not affiliated with the Texas barbecue chain Smokey Mo’s BBQ.
While barbecue from Smokey Mo is influenced from Kansas City and Texas styles, the restaurant is adapting to local tastes as they learn the preferences.
For example, the menu features barbecue tacos on a corn tortilla with cabbage, cotija, and avocado cream. Additionally, mesquite is the wood of choice.
Although barbecue is the specialty, the restaurant is also proud of their house-smoked pastrami, brined for 12 days and smoked for 12 hours. Since the smoked meats may sell out through the day, the kitchen also offers charbroiled burgers prepared to order.
The tiny restaurant seats about 20 inside and about 22 on the patio.
Smokey Mo Menu Highlights
- Half-Slab of Pork Ribs ($18)
- Pulled Pork Sandwich ($9) – spicy house barbecue sauce, jicama citrus slaw, sesame bun
- Pastrami Sandwich ($10) – 12-day house brined pastrami, sauerkraut, mustard, marble rye
- AZ OG Burger ($9) – Pepper Jack cheese, serrano aioli, tomato, crispy onions
- Tacos ($2.50 each) – choice of pork, chicken, or calabacitas on a corn tortilla with cabbage, cotija, avocado crema
Operating hours are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday.
Keep up with Smokey Mo on Facebook. For more information, call (520) 203-8250 or visit smokeymo.com.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
