Smokey’s Southern Barbeque in Chesterton, Indiana: A Cute Roadside Stop That Didn’t Quite Hit the Mark
Smokey’s Southern Barbeque in Chesterton, Indiana: A Cute Roadside Stop That Didn’t Quite Hit the Mark
Some restaurant reviews are hard to write because you can see how much charm and history a place has and still wish the food had been better.
On our way to New Buffalo, we were making the rounds to say hello to some friends: the local dispensaries. We spotted Smokey’s Southern Barbeque in Chesterton, Indiana, and decided to stop on the way back. The place looked adorable, with a fun, down-home barbecue atmosphere that immediately made me want to love it.
Smokey’s has reportedly been around for 34 years, with the same owners for 24. That kind of staying power says a lot about a restaurant’s place in its community. It’s a cozy, country-style spot on U.S. 20, and the dining room has the sort of personality that makes a roadside stop feel like part of the trip. The restaurant is listed at 375 U.S. 20 in Chesterton, near Indiana Dunes, and operates under limited weekly hours. Check its Facebook page before heading over, since hours and details can change.
Smokey’s menu includes barbecue staples such as brisket, baby back ribs and rib tips, alongside sides like baked beans, coleslaw, green beans and parsley-and-chive potatoes. The restaurant is also commonly described as a cash-only spot, so it’s smart to confirm payment options before you go.
I ordered the brisket Sandwhich with parsley potatoes. I wanted the plate to work. I really did. But after eating a lot of excellent barbecue, I couldn’t talk myself into pretending this one landed.
The bread wasn’t warm or especially fresh, and the brisket was dry and chewy. The parsley potatoes looked like they had potential, but they tasted plain and needed more seasoning. I ended up relying on the sweet barbecue sauce to get through the entire plate. The sauce helped, but it shouldn’t have had to do quite that much heavy lifting.
That’s the frustrating part: the setting had me ready for a memorable barbecue stop, but the food didn’t match the promise of the place. A cute room and decades of history can make you want to root for a restaurant. They can’t make dry brisket tender or plain potatoes flavorful.
This is one meal from one visit, and I can only speak to what we ordered that day. Other diners clearly have favorites on the menu, and the restaurant has plenty of positive reviews. Maybe we caught an off day; maybe another order would have been a better fit. But on our visit, the brisket, potatoes and bread left us disappointed.
Smokey’s Southern Barbeque has plenty going for it in atmosphere and old-school roadside charm. I just wish the plate had matched the welcome the building gave us. We’re always rooting for independent restaurants, especially ones that have served a community for decades. But we’ve also promised to be honest: the place was adorable; our meal didn’t win us over.
http://facebook.com/smokeyssouthern/
Planning a visit: Smokey’s Southern Barbeque is at 375 U.S. 20, Chesterton, Indiana. Listings show Thursday through Saturday service until 7 p.m. and Sunday service until 4 p.m.; check the restaurant’s Facebook page for current hours and updates before you make the drive.
FYI it’s also cash only.
