"Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que is back up and running this week after a fire destroyed the longstanding Dallas restaurant in September 2017. Brothers Juan and Brent Reaves decided to rebuild the eatery their father started more than 40 years ago in its historic location at 1820 W Mockingbird Lane rather than move locations, according to the Dallas Observer. The newly renovated space now has a room with video capabilities for meetings or private tastings and a separate prep line and pickup counter for to-go orders that will make carryout way more efficient, Juan tells Eater. The restaurant had to be entirely gutted after the fire, and not due to flames — Juan credits the fire department with doing an excellent job of containing it — but from the smoke damage, which was extensive. “The smoke ruined everything except for a couple pieces of equipment that we salvaged,” Juan says. Diners will find new furniture and fixtures and a piece of history from their previous operation — their Dad’s “old school” homemade cast-iron smoker now visible on the cook line. “We’ve never been without it, but now you can see it and get a sense of where we came from,” Juan says. Smokey John’s menu of barbecue faves that has kept the eatery on Eater’s essential barbecue destinations will be on offer in the revamped space, with the addition of some “underground” options found on a secret rotating menu that the brothers will post to the restaurant’s social media accounts. Juan teases riffs on stuffed potatoes and a brisket dish that he loves to eat for breakfast. In the meantime, diners can snag the regular menu of ribs, ham, sausage, hot links, chicken, and turkey by the plate, pound, or stuffed in sandwiches, along with hamburgers, catfish baskets, and daily specials like meatloaf, pot roast, and chicken & dumplings. A plethora of sides are on offer like baked beans, candied yams, collard greens, fried okra, mac ‘n’ cheese, and more, plus cake and cobbler for dessert. Smokey John’s is now officially open again and operates 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Sunday." - Alaena Hostetter
