Assembly Row BBQ Joint Debuts With 'Brisket Cutting'

SOMERVILLE, MA – Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone joined Chef and Pitmaster Andy Husbands Tuesday to help usher in the era of The Smoke Shop at Assembly Row. The 5,500-square-foot, 240-seat restaurant is Husbands' third Smoke Shop location in greater Boston.

The space is designed by Sousa Design, the firm behind area restaurants Alden & Harlow and Temazcal, to create a vibrant and contemporary interpretation of a barbecue joint that embraces the rich heritage of the cuisine. The interior includes reclaimed wood from a Jim Bean distillery and is inspired by southern tobacco barns, enhancing the rugged atmosphere.

The main dining room boasts 120 seats, and there is patio seating outside in addition to 30-seat bar and private dining areas.

The Smoke Shop is open for lunch and dinner daily and serves barbecue classics from a variety of styles, including Texas Hot Links & Pimento Cheese, The Best Bar Wings with agave and pit spices, a wide selection of BBQ platters and baskets such as St. Louis Ribs, Pulled Pork, Slow-Smoked Brisket, Cornmeal Battered Catfish and more.

Dishes exclusive to the Assembly location include BBQ Spiced Rotisserie Chicken, Pork Belly Burnt Ends and Pickled Peaches, Barbecue Spiced Peanuts available for snacking at the bar and individual cups of Mississippi Mud Pies for dessert.

The Smoke Shop also lays claim to the largest American whiskey collection in New England, featuring more than 200 American whiskeys, as well as Scotch and Japanese variety. The bar program will serve seasonal cocktails and have a strong focus on spirits and craft beer.

The Smoke Shop Assembly Row is located at 325 Assembly Row and open seven days a week beginning at 11 a.m.

Photo submitted by Danielle Donovan