Smoke n Ash BBQ-Arlington, TX

[Purc]

https://www.smokenashbbq.net/

On 8/6/26, my son and DIL asked me to join them for lunch at Smoke n Ash BBQ in Arlington, Texas. This is non traditional BBQ due to the Ethiopian influence. Unlike traditional Texas BBQ restaurants, the meals are created behind closed doors in the kitchen. You order from a menu at your table or booth. Staff was friendly and informative. We all tried the Ethiopian spiced BBQ and sides because that's why we went there. Overall good not great but different. The pulled lamb was good, smokey and had some veggies in it. Brisket was good, tender, different flavor but dry. Pork ribs were good but not the best. Chicken was moist, flavorful and good. For sides, the Berbere Mac n Cheese was creamy but bland to me, Missir Wat Red lentil stew very good, Kay Sir Wat the beet and potato stew, my son loved, for me just ok, I'm not a fan of beets. The Teff Injerra roll was strange, sponge like bread rolled up that you can see through it with the many tiny holes in it. BBQ sauce on the side was good. Prices were very reasonable, my 3 meat platter with 2 sides, Texas toast and Ethiopian Teff Injerra rolls and water was $29.99 plus tax and tip. This is an interesting take on BBQ, just not traditional Texas BBQ experience. I'm not sure this is a good choice for the upcoming MeatUp because it is not the traditional Texas BBQ foods, flavors or experience that we have enjoyed in the past. As always, YMMV.

jayjordan and LA Pork Butt this was all of a sudden invite from my son. if you two still want to meet there or at any other place I'm interested in going.

[realdocBBQ]

Interesting. Thanks for the review. I'd agree, for the MeatUp you want several very traditional top notch BBQ joints and probably a couple of 'different' places - but those alternative spots can't be... oh, mediocre or just 'ok'. They really need to be over the top good, like blow you away, "I'd have never thought of doing that, but it's fantastic!"

That's my thoughts, anyways, but I won't be going so it's just thoughts. Anyways, glad to read about this place.

[jayjordan]

Despite that this place is just a couple of miles from my house, I’ve never been there. Doesn’t sound like worth trying.

[Panhead John]

Nice writeup and pics Bill! Thanks for taking one for the team. Any BBQ place serving beets probably ain’t gonna be on my list either……

[barelfly]

Come on! You don’t like beets either! They are just as good as baby cabbages!

[Panhead John]

😂 Can’t stand broccoli either……🤮

[barelfly]

Broccoli is fine if it’s roasted correctly, has a little char to it. But, I’d eat Brussels over broccoli if I have a choice.

[LA Pork Butt]

I have eating at an Ethiopian restaurant before. “The Teff Injerra roll was strange, sponge like bread rolled up that you can see through it with the many tiny holes in it.” That sounds like the sponge bread at the restaurant which is really the eating utensil. The food comes out on a family style platter and you take a piece of sponge bread and grab a bite of food. The flavors are definitely different. Fior me they were okay. The flavors of Indian (India) are definitely different too, but I like those lots more. If I went to Smoke N Ash BBQ it would probably be for the experience of something different.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

No wonder why the Ethiopians are starving...

[Panhead John]

They wouldn’t be starving if they’d listen to Sam Kinison…..
Language warning

https://youtu.be/K44DriPrLUk?is=TV8qnbbYPR9g3nXT

[58limited]

That is one of my favorite Sam Kinison videos. "You live in an effing desert!! Move where the effing food is!!"