Midwood Smokehouse debuts new urban concept with Smokeshack
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As Midwood Smokehouse prepares for global domination in the fast casual space, it recently launched an urban concept named Midwood Smokeshack in a Matthews shopping center.
Feels like an odd location, but I know very little about restaurant real estate.
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Midwood Smokeshack has a Chipotle-style ordering process.
This new concept gives Midwood the optionality of expanding with an urban design or a restaurant design (like the one in Plaza Midwood).
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Current menu (plastered on the wall).
This menu will be simplified to make the ordering experiencing faster.
What are people ordering? Midwood Smokeshack told the me that currently, there’s a ton of Pig Out ($40) takeout orders for families.
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At the Midwood Smokeshack, they slice the meat at the counter.
I’m a big fan of meat slicing in front of my eyes. It’s like the prime rib guy at a country club Easter buffet – but the Midwood Smokeshack meat is 10x tastier.
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In addition to this new urban concept, pitmaster and brisket nerd Michael Wagner joined the team from Texas where he was a leader at the famous Kent Black’s BBQ.
Michael met the Midwood Smokehouse team (Frank and Matt) in Texas and he recently moved to Charlotte his wife and three children.
I had lunch with Michael and loved the guy. Anybody that says “Every meat has it’s own personality… I never time time a brisket, it’s just feel…” – is a serious meat guy.
As he was talking, I pretended to write down notes, but in all honestly, I was devouring the brisket – which was freaking delicious and melted in my mouth like cotton candy.
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Don’t worry, I also ate a salad so that I can stay healthy and keep my vegan friends like Katie Levans happy with my ordering.
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Yes, there’s beer and wine at the Smokeshack.
Who’s the loser ordering the Blue Moon? C’mon man.
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Agenda pro tip from pitmaster Michael Wagner for all those amatuer BBQ kings grilling in their backyards.
I asked Michael for his one piece of advice to aspiring smokers and he told me, “Don’t open the smoker. You want a consistent temperature.”
I look forward to Michael inviting me over to his house for a Panthers game day cookout, but he didn’t ask for my contact information…